Effects of Diffused Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil Amongst Older Persons With Dementia

Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) refers to the spectrum of non-cognitive and non-neurological symptoms of dementia, such as agitation, psychosis, depression and apathy. Ylang-Ylang (Cananga Odorata) essential oil is postulated to have calming effect, which may improve BPSD in persons with dementia. Thus, this study aims to examine dementia-related behavioural changes using established assessment tools and brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) in persons with BPSD. A pre-post quasi-experimental pilot study will be conducted over a two-month period in nursing homes with persons with dementia. Approximately 30 persons with dementia are expected to participate in this study. During the pre-intervention phase, water will be diffused using a diffuser in a common area of the nursing homes. During the intervention phase, Ylang-Ylang essential oil will be diffused using the identical diffuser over the same common area. Both water and essential oil will be diffused twice a day, each for a duration of 20 min during the respective phases. Observation and documentation of behavioural symptoms will be taken using validated instruments during the pre- and post-intervention phases. In addition, 10 mL of blood will also be collected at pre and post intervention for biochemical analyses.If Ylang-ylang essential oil were found to be beneficial based on the laboratory and observational findings, it can be possibly used as an alternative approach in managing BPSD.

Inclusion criteria

• Persons who have been diagnosed with dementia by their physicians and in nursing homes in Selangor, Malaysia.
• Persons with dementia who have at least one symptom of BPSD

Exclusion criteria

• Persons with dementia with a comorbid respiratory problem like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Persons with dementia who are allergic to fragrance/perfumes
• Persons with dementia who had a change in their psychotropic or dementia medications in the 30 days before commencement of the study, namely: acetylcholinesterase inhibitors N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor antagonist (memantine), antipsychotics, antidepressants, sedatives, or medications with anticholinergic properties
• Persons who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or mental retardation
• Persons who have no documented behavioral history in the previous three month
• Persons who are currently hospitalized
• Persons with dementia who are unwilling to participate or disallowed by caregivers/family members