Effect of Inhaled Lavender and Sleep Hygiene on Self-Reported Sleep Issues: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

What this study found

Lavender patch plus sleep hygiene improved sleep quality and the benefit persisted at 2-week follow-up, while sleep quantity did not differ between groups. Postintervention sleep quality improved on PSQI and PROMIS measures, and follow-up effects remained significant for the lavender group (PSQI p < 0.001; PROMIS p = 0.007). Sleep-hygiene-only participants also improved, but generally to a lesser extent, and waking feeling refreshed differed significantly (p = 0.01). Minor skin irritation was reported, but the intervention was described as safe and accessible.

Study & population

Randomized controlled trial in college students with self-reported sleep issues, recruited from a U.S.

Intervention

The active intervention was inhaled lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia) delivered by a 3 cm adhesive chest patch containing 55 μL of oil and designed for time-release over 6 to 8 hours.

Key limitation

The trial was small, short duration, and conducted in a single college population, which limits generalizability.

View full study detailsView sourceOpen PDF