On the Fatigue-Reducing Effects of Green Tea / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<b>Objective</b>: On the psychological, physiological and immunological parameters, the effects of green tea drink were comprehensively investigated.<br> <b>Design</b>: This study used a randomized cross-over design.<br> <b>Methods</b>: After a 120-minute computer fatigue task, participants were randomized into two groups: one tasked to drink green tea and the other water. Blood collection, measurement of the P300 event related potential and questionnaire were executed three times: before and after the computer fatigue task and then, 30 minute after drinking green tea or water. These data were then compared. High Frequency (HF) and average Low Frequency/High Frequency Ratio (LF/HF) were calculated.<br> <b>Result</b>: In a state of fatigue, drinking green tea showed dominance of the parasympathetic nervous system, an improvement in their attentiveness, and elevation of NK activity; thereby, reducing fatigue, particularly, mental fatigue.<br> <b>Conclusion</b>: This study comprehensively showed the fatigue-reducing eggect of green tea in psychological, physiological and immunological parameters. It is hereby, suggested that green tea is indeed, helpful in reducing fatigue.<br>

Effects of Essential Oil Odor Exposure on Psychophysiological and Immunological Parameters of Fatigue due to Computer-Related Tasks / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<b>Objective</b>: The psychophysiological and immunological effects of exposure to different varieties of essential oils on fatigue were extensively investigated in students performing personal computer tasks.<br> <b>Design</b>: Randomized crossover study<br> <b>Methods</b>: This study was approved by the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Research Ethics Committee, and informed consents were obtained from all subjects. Eight healthy male university students with mean age of 22.38±1.30 (range 21–24) who served as the subjects in this study were given a 120-minute personal computer task with 10-minute rest period before and after the task.<br> During the course of performing PC task, subjects were either exposed to one of the five essential oil odors (grapefruit, peppermint, true lavender, blend A, blend B) or not exposed to any odor at all, serving as the control in the study. Each of the six odor setting were carried out on separate days upon which psychophysiological and immunological parameters of fatigue in the subjects were evaluated.<br> <b>Results and Conclusions</b>: The results of this study suggest that exposure to essential oil odors affects the autonomic nervous and immunological system when engaged in a personal computer task. Moreover, different varieties of essential oils cause different vital reactions. In particular, peppermint essential oil exhibits fatigue-reducing effects.<br>

Improvement of Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Disturbance in Nursing Home Residents by Aromatherapy Massage: A Preliminary Study / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

We examined the effect of aromatherapy massage on the circadian rhythm in 8 elderly subjects in an open semi-comparative trial, comparing the parameters in the 2^nd week during which the aromatherapy massage sessions were performed, with 1-week periods (1^st and 3^rd weeks) before and after the sessions. Time spent asleep while in-bed and the sleep efficiency during the sleep time increased significantly in the 2^nd week compared with those in the 1^st and/or 3^rd weeks. A higher peak of the 24-h cycle circadian rhythm was noted following aromatherapy massage in elderly people, who often exhibit circadian rhythm disturbance. Furthermore, the peaks of the spectrum cycle in the 2^nd week were significantly closer to 24 h than those in the 1^st and 3^rd weeks. These results suggest that aromatherapy massage improves sleep and circadian rhythm disturbance.<br>