Abstract

Previous studies have revealed that chronic diseases, such as kidney dysfunction, can affect the stress system and cognitive function. On the other hand, plant essential oil aromatherapy may affect cognitive function. In the present study, attempts were made to clarify the effects of Rosa damascena (L.) and Lavandulaofficinalis (L.) essential oil aromatherapy on stress system activity by means of glucocorticoid receptor resistance and cognitive function in 90 hemodialysis patients (n = 30/group). The patients were either exposed to one of the aromas R. damascena (R) orL. officinal is(L) during their hemodialysis sessions or received no aroma (control group - C). Before and after the completion of experiments, patients' cognitive functions were evaluated by using Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) software. In addition, blood samples were collected from the patients for cortisol and leukocyte evaluations. These data were used for possible glucocorticoid receptor resistance. Results obtained from the PASAT software revealed a comprehensive improvement in the general mental health, mental fatigue, sustained attention, and reaction time in the R and L groups. In addition, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and blood cortisol levels were decreased in R and L groups after aromatherapy, which indicated a decrease in GCR in these groups as compared with the control group. It is concluded that R. damascene and L. officinalis essential oil aromatherapy in hemodialysis patients improves their cognition function, which may be due to a decrease in GCR in these patients.