Efficacy of aromatherapy with rose damascena in improving sleep quality in cancer patients: a controlled clinical trial
A group of Iranian scientists conducted a clinical trial in 2019, titled “Efficacy of aromatherapy with Rosa damascena in the improvement of sleep quality of cancer patients: A randomized controlled clinical trial.” In it, they sought to understand whether aromatherapy with Rosa damascena essential oil could help improve sleep in cancer patients, who often suffer from insomnia and sleep disorders as a side effect of the disease and treatment.
The study participants were randomly divided into groups – one receiving standard care plus aromatherapy with rose oil, and the other serving as a control group. To assess the effect on sleep, the researchers used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) – a tool that measures various aspects such as time to fall asleep, duration and quality of sleep, as well as the feeling of rest the next day. This provides a comprehensive view of the real impact of the intervention on the patients’ lives.
The results show that patients who used aromatherapy with damask rose had a noticeable improvement in their sleep quality compared to the control group. They fell asleep faster, their sleep was more restful and full, and their daytime state improved. The differences were statistically significant, which means that the effects can hardly be attributed to chance. Importantly, no serious side effects were identified, making aromatherapy a safe and well-tolerated approach.
For people undergoing cancer treatment, these results are particularly valuable. Sleep is key to recovery, mental resilience, and overall quality of life. The ability of the aroma of damask rose to support this process offers a gentle and natural support that can reduce the need for medications with side effects and bring peace of mind during a difficult period. Of course, scientists note that larger and longer-term studies are needed to confirm these observations and determine effectiveness in different groups of patients.
In this context, the Bulgarian Rosa damascena, which has been valued for centuries for its exceptional quality and unique aromatic profile, has the potential to be the basis of such aromatherapy products. If supported by clinical research and implemented in healthcare practices, it could offer a reliable and natural means of supporting sleep and well-being for both patients and people exposed to high levels of stress in their daily lives.
Source: Heydarirad, G., Keyhanmehr, A. S., Mofid, B., Nikfarjad, H., & Mosavat, S. H. Efficacy of aromatherapy with Rosa damascena in the improvement of sleep quality of cancer patients: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2019;35:57-61. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
