Characteristics of the Pharmacological Regulation of Functional States in Elderly Adults

Introduction. This paper reports a study of characteristics of pharmacological regulation of functional states in elderly adults by means of psycho-relaxation and aromatherapy sessions of various durations with the use of catnip oil. The assessment of functional states was carried out through the analysis of the main parameters of cardiovascular system and subjective estimates of respondents' health, activity, and mood. This is the first study on the pharmacological effects of catnip essential oil on elderly adults' functional states, depending on the diffusion duration (10, 20, and 30 minutes), monitored by psycho-relaxation recording. Methods. The study used the following techniques: (a) recording of cardiovascular parameters (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, heart rate, minute blood volume, heart stroke volume, cardiac index, blood circulation index); (b) the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); (c) the Technique for Measuring the Speed of Thought; (d) the Proofreading Test (modified version); (e) Ivanov-Smolensky proofreading tables; and (f) self-assessment diagnostic technique by Dembo-Rubinstein (modified by A. M. Prikhozhan). The study participants were 324 adults aged 50–90 years, including 94 hypertensive respondents who were registered at social services centers for elderly and disabled citizens in Yalta and Simferopol (the Republic of Crimea). Results. The study results show that a 10- or 20-minute non-invasive pharmacological exposure to aromatherapy with the use of catnip oil can positively affect psychophysiological and psychoemotional states and mental working capacity in elderly adults. Discussion. The data obtained indicate that aroma-relaxation treatment with the use of catnip essential oil positively affects functional states in elderly adults, reduces anxiety symptoms, and decreases pulse and systolic blood pressure.