芳香療法運用於失智症患者之照護

Caring for Patients with Dementia by Aromatherapy

失智症盛行率逐年提升，增加照顧者負擔及醫療照護成本。結合藥物與非藥物介入為失智症照護策略，而芳香療法屬於非藥物介入措施之一，近年來國內外學者探究對於改善失智症患者行為症狀、睡眠、認知功能等處置之成效。本文探討芳香療法對於改善失智症照護之成效及執行芳香療法介入常見方式與運用。芳香療法按摩每週執行5次，每次15分鐘持續4週，讓失智症躁動得到改善，這使得患者更加放鬆改善睡眠；真正薰衣草（Lavender angustifolia）、Cedar（雪松）嗅吸改善失智症患者焦慮及睡眠；芳香穴位按摩結合認知療法可以有效改善睡眠，減輕焦慮和抑鬱並減少BPSD的發生。有效運用芳香療法按摩能改善失智症患者生活品質、降低不適切藥物使用，延緩失智症進展。透過芳香療法知識分享，增進臨床照顧者對本議題的了解，提供有效益的實務資訊以提升照護品質，降低照顧者負擔。

The prevalence rate of Dementia is increasing, resulting in heavier burden of caregivers and more medical cost. Combining pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments is the main strategy to care Dementia patients, and aromatherapy is one of the non-pharmacologic interventions. Recent studies focus on the treatment effec-tiveness of behavioral symptoms, sleep and cognitive ability of Dementia patients. This study aims to explore the caring effectiveness and application of aromatherapy to patients with Dementia. Aromatherapy was provided 5 times a week, and 15 minutes per session for 4 weeks. It is found effective to improve their restlessness and sleep.The application of massage based on aromatherapy is beneficial in improving their life quality, reducing inappropriate medication, and delaying the disease progres-sion.Through the introduction of aromatherapy, the clinical professionals are able to understand the effective use of aromatherapy, provide essential information to care-givers and enhance the caring quality.