Is it time to conduct a clinical trial on lavender oil inhalation for treating anxiety and insomnia among elderly patients? | Biomedgrid

Background: Studies show that older people often suffer from anxiety disorders in general and from generalized anxiety disorder in particular. In turn, such disorders could lead to additional distress, physical disabilities, and the increased risk of dying. First-line medications include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. However, while they may lead to positive improvement in levels of anxiety and acrophobia, they are not without serious physical and mental negative side effects. Objectives: To examine the efficacy of lavender oil inhalation for treating anxiety disorders among the elderly. Methods: Case studies were conducted on two elderly people suffering from anxiety disorders, using lavender oil inhalation or lavender capsules. Results: The results showed that while both patients responded positively to the lavender treatment, the patient treated with lavender oil inhalation exhibited physical and medical improvements in a much faster manner than the patient who was treated with lavender capsules. Conclusions: These results deem it fitting to consider the conducting of a scientific study on the efficacy of lavender oil inhalation among older people who suffer from such acute and even chronic anxiety.