LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL FOR SPINAL PAIN IN OBESE WOMEN: A CLINICAL TRIAL

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the effect of lavender essential oil associated with massage on spinal pain levels in obese women. Methods The sample included 49 obese women, between 20 and 60 years of age, randomly assigned to three groups: control (n=15), intervention (n=19) and placebo (n=15). The intervention and placebo groups were submitted to eight 35-minute sessions, twice a week for one month, but the essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia was used only in the intervention group. A placebo was used for the placebo group and the control group received no intervention. Pain levels were measured before and after the intervention using the Visual Analog Scale. Results There was a significant decrease in total spinal pain (p=0.004), in the cervical region (p=0.003) and in the lumbar region (p=0.008) in the intervention group. Conclusion Lavender essential oil had a positive impact on the reduction of pain in the spine of obese women, as well as in the specific areas of the cervical and lumbar regions compared to the control and placebo groups. Level of evidence I; Randomized clinical trial.

摘要
研究目的：分析薰衣草精油联合按摩对肥胖女性脊柱疼痛程度的影响。
研究方法：本研究纳入49名年龄介于20至60岁的肥胖女性，按随机原则将其分为三组：对照组（n=15）、干预组（n=19）及安慰剂组（n=15）。干预组与安慰剂组均接受每周2次、为期1个月、共8次的35分钟按摩干预；其中干预组使用狭叶薰衣草（Lavandula angustifolia）精油，安慰剂组采用安慰剂对照，对照组则不施加任何干预。分别于干预前后采用视觉模拟评分法（Visual Analog Scale）评估受试者的疼痛程度。
研究结果：干预组的脊柱整体疼痛（p=0.004）、颈部区域疼痛（p=0.003）及腰部区域疼痛（p=0.008）均出现显著降低。
研究结论：相较于对照组与安慰剂组，薰衣草精油可有效减轻肥胖女性的脊柱疼痛，包括颈部与腰部特定区域的疼痛症状。
证据等级：I级；随机对照临床试验。