Effectiveness of Lavender Aromatherapy for Sleep Disorders in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33650/trilogi.v7i1.14537
Authors

(1) * Mohammad Alfian Faisol Mustaqim   (Universitas Nurul jadid)  
        Indonesia
(2)  Setyo Adi Nugroho   (Universitas Nurul jadid)  
        Indonesia
(3)  S. Tauriana   (Universitas Nurul jadid)  
        Indonesia
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract


Sleep disorders among older adults are a growing global health concern that negatively affect physical health, psychological well-being, and quality of life. Non-pharmacological interventions are increasingly recommended due to the risks associated with long-term use of sleep medications in elderly populations. Lavender aromatherapy has emerged as a complementary therapy with potential benefits for improving sleep quality and reducing insomnia. This study aims to identify and analyze the effectiveness of lavender aromatherapy as a complementary intervention for managing sleep disorders in older adults. A systematic review design was employed using the PRISMA framework to identify relevant studies published between 2020 and 2025. Literature searches were conducted through Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Portal Garuda databases using predefined keywords and inclusion criteria based on the PICOS framework. Seven eligible studies were included and analyzed narratively to evaluate intervention methods, duration, and outcomes related to sleep quality and insomnia severity. The findings indicate that lavender aromatherapy, either as a single intervention or combined with therapies such as music, acupressure, or massage, consistently improves sleep quality and reduces insomnia symptoms among older adults. The therapy is safe, cost-effective, and easily implemented in community and clinical settings. Overall, lavender aromatherapy is a promising complementary intervention that can be integrated into holistic geriatric and nursing care to support healthy aging and improve quality of life.

 

Keywords: aromatherapy; complementary therapy; elderly; insomnia; lavender; sleep quality.







References


Alves, O. M. A., de Carvalho, A. L. S. P., Francisco, A. M. A., Pinho, M. J., Carvalho, C., Martins, H. M., Mesquita, C., Lopes, S. R., & Santos, P. C. R. (2025). Análise da funcionalidade em idosos do Alto Minho após o programa Otago: Melhoria em parâmetros funcionais-Estudo Pré-Experimental. RIAGE-Revista Ibero-Americana de Gerontologia, 7, 124–136. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.61415/riage.328

Brennan, S. E., McDonald, S., Murano, M., & McKenzie, J. E. (2022). Effectiveness of aromatherapy for prevention or treatment of disease, medical or preclinical conditions, and injury: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic Reviews, 11(1), 148. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-022-02015-1

Cavanaugh, D., Urbanucci, A., Mohamed, N. E., Tewari, A. K., Figueiro, M., & Kyprianou, N. (2024). Link between circadian rhythm and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)/lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The Prostate, 84(5), 417–425. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/pros.24656

Falup-Pecurariu, C., Muntean, M.-L., Ungureanu, L., Murasan, I., Popławska-Domaszewicz, K., Chaudhuri, K. R., & Diaconu, S. (2024). Pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of sleep disturbances in Parkinson’s disease: if when and how. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 25(16), 2135–2149. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/14656566.2024.2422004

Graham, L., Brundle, C., Harrison, N., Andre, D., Clegg, A., Forster, A., & Spilsbury, K. (2024). What are the priorities for research of older people living in their own home, including those living with frailty? A systematic review and content analysis of studies reporting older people’s priorities and unmet needs. Age and Ageing, 53(1), afad232. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afad232

Ikhsanudin, A., Sucipto, S., Wajiran, W., Lolita, L., & Wulandari, L. N. (2025). Pengaruh Kualitas Hidup terhadap Kesehatan Mental pada Diaspora Indonesia di Tiongkok. Jurnal Surya Masyarakat, 8(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.26714/jsm.8.1.2025.20-31

Ishii, T., Taweesedt, P. T., Chick, C. F., O’Hara, R., & Kawai, M. (2024). From macro to micro: slow-wave sleep and its pivotal health implications. Frontiers in Sleep, 3, 1322995. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3389/frsle.2024.1322995

Javed, B., Javed, A., Kow, C. S., & Hasan, S. S. (2023). Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options for sleep disturbances in Alzheimer’s disease. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 23(6), 501–514. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/14737175.2023.2214316

Li, J., Vitiello, M. V, & Gooneratne, N. S. (2022). Sleep in normal aging. Sleep Medicine Clinics, 17(2), 161–171. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsmc.2022.02.007

Li, Y., Zhou, X., Qiu, S., Cai, B., Wang, S., Chen, L., Hu, D., Jiang, Z., Wang, M., & Xiong, X. (2022). Association of sleep quality with lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia among men in China: a cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 14, 938407. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2022.938407

Mihailov, L., Poroch, V., & Pascu, A. M. (2023). Aromatherapy–a non-pharmacological approach in pain control. Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Brasov. Series VI: Medical Sciences, 69–84.

Mucharomah, A., & Fitriani, R. J. (2024). Hubungan Konsumsi Makanan Cepat Saji dan Aktivitas Fisik dengan Status Gizi pada Usia Remaja di SMA Negeri 1 Pajangan. TRILOGI: Jurnal Ilmu Teknologi, Kesehatan, Dan Humaniora, 5(4), 584–591. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.33650/trilogi.v5i4.9707

Museva, A., Khotimah, H., & HAFIFAH, V. (2024). Penerapan Range of Mation (ROM) terhadap Peningkatan Kekuatan Otot dengan Kasus Stroke Non Hemoragik pada Ny. A Di UPT PSTW Jember. TRILOGI: JURNAL ILMU TEKNOLOGI, KESEHATAN, DAN HUMANIORA Учредители: Universitas Nurul Jadid, 5(3). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.33650/trilogi.v5i3.9036

Najwa, N., Hidayah, N., Andini, N. F., Prastricia, M. A., Hasanah, N., & Putri, A. O. (2024). Tradisi Bapukung pada Masyarakat Suku Banjar dan Pengaruhnya terhadap Pertumbuhan Anak di Desa Ujung Purui Kabupaten Tabalong. TRILOGI: Jurnal Ilmu Teknologi, Kesehatan, Dan Humaniora, 5(4), 523–530. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.33650/trilogi.v5i4.9063

Nouira, M., Souayeh, N., Kanzari, S. A., Rouis, H., Lika, A., Mbarki, C., Rahali, F. Z., & Bettaieb, H. (2024). Aromatherapy Using Lavender Oil Effectiveness on Pain and Anxiety After C-Section: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 14(4), 1536–1544. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s44197-024-00305-6

Salehi-Pourmehr, H., Ostadrahimi, A., Ebrahimpour-Mirzarezaei, M., & Farshbaf-Khalili, A. (2020). Does aromatherapy with lavender affect physical and psychological symptoms of menopausal women? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 39, 101150. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101150

Schönfeld, S., Rathmer, I., Michaelsen, M. M., Hoetger, C., Onescheit, M., Lange, S., Werdecker, L., & Esch, T. (2022). Effects of a mindfulness intervention comprising an app, web-based Workshops, and a workbook on perceived stress among nurses and nursing trainees: protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 11(8), e37195. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2196/37195

Sileo, K. M., Muhumuza, C., Sekamatte, S., Lule, H., Wanyenze, R. K., Kershaw, T. S., & Kiene, S. M. (2022). The “Family Health= Family Wealth” intervention: study protocol for a pilot quasi-experimental controlled trial of a multi-level, community-based family planning intervention for couples in rural Uganda. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 8(1), 265. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-022-01226-6

Tan, L., Liao, F., Long, L., Ma, X., Peng, Y., Lu, J., Qu, H., & Fu, C. (2023). Essential oils for treating anxiety: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and network meta-analysis. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1144404. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1144404

Valadkhani, S., Nourian, M., & Shirinabadi Farahani, A. (2023). Potentially effective interventions for improvement of children’s sleep quality: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Reports in Clinical Practice, 2(1), 16–26. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.32598/JNRCP.23.94

Wang, Z., Mao, C., Zeng, S., Chen, L., Feng, Z., & Liu, W. (2025). The effects of aromatherapy on anxiety and sleep quality in maternal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1701126. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1701126

Zhao, L., Chang, B., Hu, Q., Chen, X., Du, J., & Shao, S. (2025). The health care needs of multidimensional frail elderly patients with multimorbidity in primary health-care settings: a qualitative study. BMC Primary Care, 26(1), 128. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-025-02836-8


Dimensions, PlumX, and Google Scholar Metrics

10.33650/trilogi.v7i1.14537


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2026 ALFIAN FIAN

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Creative Commons License
 

TRILOGI: Jurnal Ilmu Teknologi, Kesehatan, dan Humaniora
Published by Lembaga Penerbitan, Penelitian dan Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat (LP3M) of Nurul Jadid University, Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia.