New approaches to the effectiveness of inhalation aromatherapy in controlling painful conditions: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Gather scientific evidence on the application of inhalation aromatherapy for pain relief and estimate the effect measure of this practice on pain reduction. METHODS: Searches were performed in 2021 in the Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, Science direct, Lilacs, Scielo databases. We selected 44 articles demonstrating the effect of aromatherapy on different painful conditions, of which 17 were inserted in the meta-analysis. The risk of bias was assessed according to Cochrane methodology. RESULTS: In 35 (79.55%) studies was observed a significant reduction in pain, especially pain labor and postoperative pain. Through the meta-analysis, it was found that inhalation aromatherapy reduces by up to -1.73 points of the visual analog scale (VAS), indicating that this practice contributes to the reduction of pain perception in different painful conditions. In addition, the meta-analysis indicated that the time after inhalation, the type of oil used and the type of pain treated are important variables that interfere with the magnitude of the effect. These effects are attributed to the ability of essential oils to modulate nerve control centers and neurotransmission systems involved in pain control. CONCLUSION: From the gathering of articles on aromatherapy, it can be noted that aromatherapy appears to be helpful in alleviating acute pain, however there is an imminent need to improve aromatherapy studies to reduce the risk of bias and increase the power of its clinical evidence. PROSPERO: CRD42019121665.

Effectiveness of aromatherapy versus standard care on physiological and psychological symptoms in pregnant women: a systematic review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of aromatherapy versus standard care on common physiological and psychological symptoms in low-risk pregnant women. INTRODUCTION: Women report common symptoms that result from anatomical and physiological changes significant for fetal development and maternal-fetal protection during pregnancy. Aromatherapy is an integrative and complementary practice of ancient origin that works through the administration of essential oils. The practice is used to promote physical and psychological well-being. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This systematic review will include studies on healthy pregnant women before labor who received aromatherapy as antenatal care for common physiological and psychological symptoms. Randomized clinical trials, quasi-experimental studies, cohort, and case-control studies will be included. This review will exclude studies that focus on women in labor unless data relating to pregnant women can be separated. METHODS: The searches will be carried out on the following databases: MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, LILACS, BDENF, CUIDEN, and MOSAICO in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, with no date limit. The searches for unpublished studies will be carried out on the following repositories: ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, British Library EThOS, and the Canadian Theses and Dissertation Portal. The JBI approach will be used for study selection, critical evaluation, data extraction, and synthesis. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42020218730.

Tecnologias não invasivas para o alívio da dor na parturição / Non-invasive technologies for pain relief in parturition / Tecnologías no invasivas para el alivio del dolor durante en el parto

Objetivo: Analisar as tecnologias não invasivas de alívio da dor no parto e nascimento. Método: Revisão integrativa de literatura, com 13 artigos obtidos nas bases de dados Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, SciVerse Scopus TopCited, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online e a biblioteca virtual Scientific Electronic Library Online entre o período de 2010 a 2016. Resultados: Observou o uso de mais de duas tecnologias não farmacológicas no processo de parto e nascimento, como aromaterapia isolada ou somada a mais uma tecnologia; aplicação isolada de frio e/ou calor; uso da bola suíça/bola de parto. Conclusão: A utilização de novas tecnologias no processo parturitivo resgata a autonomia da mulher frente ao seu corpo

Objective: To analyze the non-invasive technologies of pain relief in labor and birth. Method: Integrative literature review, with 13 articles from the Web of Science database, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, SciVerse Scopus TopCited, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, and the library Scientific Electronic Library Online between 2010 and 2016. Results: Observed the use of more than two non-pharmacological technologies in the delivery and birth process, such as aromatherapy alone or added to another technology; isolated application of cold and / or heat; use of the Swiss ball / birth ball. Conclusion: The use of new technologies in the parturition process rescues the autonomy of women in front of their bodies

Objetivo: Analizar tecnologías no invasivas de alivio del dolor en el parto y el nacimiento. Método: Revisión integrativa de literatura, con 13 artículos de las bases de datos de Web of Science, de Contenido etiquetado de la literatura y la literatura en América Latina y el Caribe, en Ciencias de la Salud, SciVse Scopus TopCited, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online y la biblioteca Scientific Electronic Library virtual en línea entre el periodo de 2010 a 2016. Resultados: Observó el uso de más de dos tecnologías no farmacológicas en el parto y el proceso de parto, como la aromaterapia sola o agregada a otra tecnología; aplicación aislada de frío y / o calor; uso de la bola suiza / bola de nacimiento. Conclusión: El uso de nuevas tecnologías en el proceso de parto rescata la autonomía de las mujeres frente a sus cuerpos

The effect of aromatherapy with lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) on serum melatonin levels.

OBJECTIVE: Physiologically, blood melatonin levels decrease as a person ages and the older adult commonly presents with insomnia and other types of sleep disorders. Alternative therapies can be used to attenuate sleep disturbances. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of aromatherapy with lavender on serum melatonin levels in the noninstitutionalized older adult (OA). DESIGN AND SETTING: A pre-experimental, quantitative study with a pre-test - post-test design was conducted on 67 OAs that included both sexes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum melatonin levels were measured before and after eight sessions of aromatherapy with lavender that lasted 4 weeks. The results were expressed as mean ±â€¯standard deviation of melatonin levels (pg/ml). The differences were compared using the Student's t-test and statistical significance was set at a p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Blood melatonin levels significantly increased in the total population after the intervention with aromatherapy (pg/ml): 102.3 ±â€¯33.4 VS 132.5 ±â€¯42.3, p = 0.000004. There were significant differences in the pre-test and post-test phases in the women and men measured as separate groups (p = 0.00005 and p = 0.026), respectively. However, those differences were not observed when the measurements were compared between the two sexes, before (p = 0.64) or after (p = 0.31) the intervention. CONCLUSION: Aromatherapy with lavender essential oil similarly favors an increase in blood melatonin levels in both older adult men and women.

The nitrergic neurotransmission contributes to the anxiolytic-like effect of Citrus sinensis essential oil in animal models.

Citrus fragrances have been used in aromatherapy for the treatment of anxiety, and the essential oil of Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) has shown promising results, although its mechanism of action was not known. The objective of this study was to evaluate the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) neurotransmission in the anxiolytic-like effect of C. sinensis essential oil. Swiss male mice were submitted to 15 min of C. sinensis essential oil inhalation (1%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10%) and tested in the marble-burying test, neophobia-induced hypophagia, and light/dark test. Locomotor activity was evaluated in an automated locomotor activity box. The coadministration of C. sinensis essential oil with L-arginine (200 mg/kg, i.p.), an NO precursor, was used for the behavioral evaluation of nitrergic system mediation. Additionally, the NO synthase activity was measured by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) analysis in the cerebral cortex. C. sinensis essential oil exerted anxiolytic-like effect at dose that did not change locomotor activity. Moreover, L-arginine pretreatment prevented this anxiolytic-like effect on marble-burying test. Finally, C. sinensis essential oil reduced the NADPH-d positive cells. Thus, the nitrergic neurotransmission plays a relevant role in the anxiolytic-like effect C. sinensis essential oil.

Evaluation of oxidative stability of mayonnaise containing poly ε- caprolactone nanoparticles loaded with thyme essential oil

Suspensions of poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles loaded with thyme essential oil were prepared as a natural antioxidant in mayonnaise. Mean particle size was 204.9 ± 2.7 and 240.0 ± 5.5 nm respectively for nanoparticles prepared with PCL alone (NP-C) and for those loaded with thyme essential oil (NP-T). The polydispersity index indicated a homogeneous distribution of all particles, with no significant difference between NP-C and NP-T samples. The nanoparticles showed a large negative charge evidenced by zeta potential rates, indicating high physical stability. The use of PCL as a polymer provided high encapsulation efficiency for thyme essential oil (91.15 ± 2.12 %). DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method determined IC50 rates were 476.4 ± 33.6 and 483.5 ± 20.4 µg mL-1respectively for unencapsulated oil and for NP-T, evidencing pronounced antioxidant activity. NP-C, NP-T and synthetic antioxidant butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) were applied to samples of mayonnaise and their oxidative stability evaluated for eight days in an oven at 63 ± 3ºC. Results of hydroperoxide value (HP) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) showed that NP-T had a similar performance as synthetic antioxidant BHT in the prevention of mayonnaise lipid oxidation

Effectiveness of aromatherapy massage on the stress of the surgical center nursing team: a pilot study. / Efetividade da massagem com aromaterapia no estresse da equipe de enfermagem do centro cirúrgico: estudo-piloto.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the effectiveness of aromatherapy with essential oils of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) associated with massage for stress relief of a nursing staff of the surgical center through evaluation of biophysiological and psychological parameters. METHOD: Pilot study, controlled and randomized clinical trial performed with the nursing team of a surgical center of a teaching hospital in the interior of the state of São Paulo. The intervention comprised six aromatherapy massages with essential oils diluted in neutral cream at concentration 1% each. Heart rate and blood pressure levels were measured before and after each massage session. The Work Stress Scale (WSS) and the List of Stress Symptoms (LSS) were applied before and at the end of the intervention. Statistical analysis was performed with the paired t-test and chi-square test, 95% confidence interval and p <0.05. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant reduction in heart rate and blood pressure levels after massage sessions. CONCLUSION: The use of aromatherapy has demonstrated effectiveness for lowering biophysiological parameters of the surgical center nursing staff. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: RBR-6mgqn3.

What do Cochrane systematic reviews say about new practices on integrative medicine?

BACKGROUND: This study identified and summarized all Cochrane systematic reviews (SRs) on the effects of ten integrative practices that were recently added to the Brazilian public healthcare system (SUS). DESIGN AND SETTING: Review of systematic reviews, conducted in the Discipline of Evidence-Based Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp). METHODS: Review of Cochrane SRs on the following interventions were identified, summarized and critically assessed: apitherapy, aromatherapy, bioenergetics, family constellation, flower therapy, chromotherapy, geotherapy, hypnotherapy, hand imposition or ozone therapy. RESULTS: We included a total of 16 SRs: 4 on apitherapy, 4 on aromatherapy, 6 on hypnotherapy and 2 on ozone therapy. No Cochrane SR was found regarding bioenergetics, family constellation, chromotherapy, clay therapy, flower therapy or hand imposition. The only high-quality evidence was in relation to the potential benefit of apitherapy, specifically regarding some benefits from honey dressings for partial healing of burn wounds, for reduction of coughing among children with acute coughs and for preventing allergic reactions to insect stings. CONCLUSION: Except for some specific uses of apitherapy (honey for burn wounds and for acute coughs and bee venom for allergic reactions to insect stings), the use of ten integrative practices that have recently been incorporated into SUS does not seem to be supported by evidence from Cochrane SRs.

What do Cochrane systematic reviews say about new practices on integrative medicine?

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: This study identified and summarized all Cochrane systematic reviews (SRs) on the effects of ten integrative practices that were recently added to the Brazilian public healthcare system (SUS). DESIGN AND SETTING: Review of systematic reviews, conducted in the Discipline of Evidence-Based Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp). METHODS: Review of Cochrane SRs on the following interventions were identified, summarized and critically assessed: apitherapy, aromatherapy, bioenergetics, family constellation, flower therapy, chromotherapy, geotherapy, hypnotherapy, hand imposition or ozone therapy. RESULTS: We included a total of 16 SRs: 4 on apitherapy, 4 on aromatherapy, 6 on hypnotherapy and 2 on ozone therapy. No Cochrane SR was found regarding bioenergetics, family constellation, chromotherapy, clay therapy, flower therapy or hand imposition. The only high-quality evidence was in relation to the potential benefit of apitherapy, specifically regarding some benefits from honey dressings for partial healing of burn wounds, for reduction of coughing among children with acute coughs and for preventing allergic reactions to insect stings. CONCLUSION: Except for some specific uses of apitherapy (honey for burn wounds and for acute coughs and bee venom for allergic reactions to insect stings), the use of ten integrative practices that have recently been incorporated into SUS does not seem to be supported by evidence from Cochrane SRs.

Efeito da aromaterapia no alívio da dor em atletas de alto rendimento: estudo piloto / The effect of Aromatherapy on high performance athletes pain relieve Pilot

Introdução: A experiência da dor vivida pelo atleta de alto rendimento é tida como cotidiana e marcador de bom rendimento nos treinos e competições. Há uma crescente procura pelas terapias integrativas e complementares à saúde visando o bem-estar, qualidade de vida, rendimento e, principalmente, uma prática livre do risco de dopping. A aromaterapia, ciência que estuda o uso terapêutico dos óleos essenciais (OEs), tem mostrado resultados positivos empiricamente, porém, fazem-se necessárias pesquisas que validem tais práticas a fim de, com segurança e eficácia, servir àqueles que a necessitam e procuram. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito dos óleos essenciais (OEs) sobre a dor no atleta de alto rendimento. Métodos: Estudo piloto quasi-experimental, cegado para o participante, com duas fases: a primeira com utilização de placebo (15 dias) denominada grupo Dor A, a segunda com OEs (15 dias) chamada grupo Dor B e um follow-up de sete dias. Amostra de conveniência composta por 26 atletas adultos de alto rendimento. A intervenção foi realizada com uma sinergia de OEs (lavanda, gengibre e sucupira) e como placebo foi utilizado óleo vegetal inerte (OV). Para a coleta de dados foram utilizados um questionário com dados sóciodemográficos e prática do esporte, recordatório de dor e tratamentos durante o período de estudo, e escalas de Humor de Brunel (BRUMS) e Inventário Breve de Dor (IBD). Para análise de dados utilizou-se o modelo de efeitos fixos e o teste de Bonferroni, teste d Cohen, além de medidas descritivas de tendência central e de variabilidade. Resultados: No início do tratamento, os 26 atletas apresentaram médias de dor de 5,2 no grupo Dor A e 5,6 no grupo Dor B. Após o tratamento com o óleo medicado houve redução de 79% na dor logo após os 15 dias de aplicação e de 81% ao final do período de follow-up (p < 0,001). O nível de tensão medido pela Escala de Humor de Brunel indicou melhora de 37%, logo após o período de aplicação do óleo medicado e 49% após o período de follow-up (p < 0,05). Conclusão: Os resultados mostraram que a sinergia de óleos essências em diluição de 10% teve efeito sobre a dor de atletas de alto rendimento em três aplicações diárias por 15 dias e possuiu efeito residual em sete dias de follow-up (p < 0,05). Observou-se efeito sobre o humor dos atletas, com diminuição da tensão (preocupação e tensão musculoesquelética).(AU)

Introduction: The experience of pain felt by high performance athletes is very common, and it is a sign of good performance in training and in competition too. There is a growing demand for integrative and complementary therapies aiming wellness, quality of life and performance increase, without the risk of doping. The science of aromatherapy, that studies the therapeutic use of essential oils (EOs), has shown positive results empirically, however, research is necessary to validate such practices in order to safely and effectively serve those who need it and seek it. Objective: evaluate the effect of essential oils over high performance athletes pain. Methods: Quasi-experimental pilot study, blinded to the participant, with two phases: the first one with the use of placebo (15 days) called Pain A group; the second with EOs (15 days) called Pain B group; and a follow-up of seven days. Convenience sample of 26 high performance adult athletes. For intervention, a synergy of EOs (lavender, ginger and sucupira) was used, and for placebo an inert vegetable oil (OV). For data collection, the following questionnaires were used: a sociodemographic data and sports practice questionnaire; a pain and treatment recall questionnaire; the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS), and the Brief Pain Inventory (IBD). For data analysis, it was used the fixed-effect model, the Bonferroni test, the d Cohen test, and descriptive measures of central tendency and variability. Results: At the beginning of the treatment, the 26 athletes scored 5.2 of pain average (Pain A group) and 5.6 of pain average (Pain B group). After the treatment with OE (15 days), the pain was reduced by 79% and 81% at the end of the follow-up period (p <0.001). The tension level measured by the Brunel Mood Scale indicated improvement of 37% after the period of OE application, and 49% after the follow-up period (p <0, 05). Conclusion: The results showed that the synergy of essential oils at 10% dilution had effect on the pain of high performance athletes in three daily applications for 15 days and residual effect by seven days of follow-up (p <0.05). In addition, the results showed effect on the athletes mood, with reduced tension (tension and musculoskeletal strain).(AU)

Effect of Lemongrass Aroma on Experimental Anxiety in Humans.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential anxiolytic effect of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) aroma in healthy volunteers submitted to an anxiogenic situation. DESIGN: Forty male volunteers were allocated to four different groups for the inhalation of lemongrass essential oil (test aroma: three or six drops), tea tree essential oil (control aroma: three drops), or distilled water (nonaromatic control: three drops). Immediately after inhalation, each volunteer was submitted to an experimental model of anxiety, the video-monitored version of the Stroop Color-Word Test (SCWT). OUTCOME MEASURES: Psychologic parameters (state anxiety, subjective tension, tranquilization, and sedation) and physiologic parameters (heart rate and gastrocnemius electromyogram activity) were evaluated before the inhalation period and before, during, and after the SCWT. RESULTS: Individuals exposed to the test aroma (three and six drops), unlike the control groups, presented a reduction in state anxiety and subjective tension, immediately after treatment administration. In addition, although they presented an anxious response to the task, they completely recovered from it in 5 min, unlike the control groups. Physiologic alterations along the test were not prevented by any treatment, in the same way as has previously been observed for diazepam. CONCLUSIONS: Although more investigations are necessary to clarify the clinical relevance of lemongrass essential oil as an anxiety treatment, this work shows that very brief exposure to this aroma has some perceived anxiolytic effects.

Revisión exploratoria de literatura: costo de la enfermedad, eficacia y costo-efectividad de intervenciones asociadas a demencia / Exploratory literature review: cost of disease, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of interventions associated with dementia

INTRODUCCIÓN: La demencia es un síndrome caracterizado por el deterioro de la función cognitiva que generalmente se acompaña o precede por el deterioro del control emocional, del comportamiento social o la motivación. La conciencia no se ve afectada y, en la mayoría de los casos, se trata de un trastorno crónico y progresivo. Cerca de un 70% de los casos de demencia corresponde a la enfermedad de Alzheimer, sin embargo, son también importantes la demencia vascular (cerca de un 25% de los casos), la demencia con cuerpos de Lewy, y diferentes enfermedades que conforman la demencia frontotemporal. En el año 2011, se calculó que a nivel mundial 35,6 millones de personas vivían con demencia y diversos estudios estiman que la cifra prácticamente se duplicará cada 20 años, 65,7 millones en 2030 y 115,4 millones en 2015. La prevalencia aumenta abruptamente con la edad, sólo entre un 2 a 10% de los casos comienzan antes de los 65 años, duplicándose cada 5 años después de esta edad. Con el creciente envejecimiento de la población se espera un aumento del número de personas afectadas. OBJETIVO: El propósito de este documento es entregar una visión general de los aspectos económicos asociados a la enfermedad de la demencia. Se revisan los costos asociados a la enfermedad y las intervenciones o métodos existentes para lidiar con los pacientes con demencia tanto desde la perspectiva de la efectividad como de su costo-efectividad. MÉTODO: Se trata de una revisión no sistemática tanto de abstracts de estudios de costo de enfermedad y revisiones sistemáticas de efectividad, como de resúmenes estructurados del Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) en el caso de costo-efectividad. La primera parte aborda la carga de enfermedad (CdE), donde se resume los abstracts de 18 estudios. La segunda parte reporta los resultados (en base a abstracts) de "revisiones sistemáticas" que abordan las diversas intervenciones que se utilizan en demencia, sus resultados y la manera de medirlos. Se seleccionaron 13 revisiones de literatura (RSL). Finalmente se revisan los estudios de costo-efectividad más recientes, identificados en la base de datos de CRD, en este caso la revisión se basa en los abstracts de los estudios y los comentarios de revisores de CRD. CONCLUSIONES: Esta revisión muestra que el CdE asociada a la demencia es alto y resulta específica al contexto. La forma en que el sistema de salud (y la sociedad) se organiza para brindar cuidados a los pacientes, la severidad de la enfermedad y tipo de residencia en que viven los pacientes impactan en los costos. En general, los costos relativos al cuidado son el mayor elemento de costo, sea este formal o informal. Se visualiza que existen variados enfoques para medir la CdE, optándose en general por una perspectiva social amplia. as intervenciones abordadas en las RSL consideran modificaciones del entorno (ambientales), entrenamiento cognitivo, terapias grupales y terapias farmacológicas. Además de intervenciones dirigidas al cuidador. Sin embargo, se plantea que la gran mayoría de los estudios primarios son de mala calidad metodológica, lo que limita la validez de sus resultados. Las intervenciones deberían ser personalizadas, dado que la evidencia sobre terapias grupales no es sólida. La implementación exitosa de estas estrategias requiere compromiso activo del personal a cargo. En términos de costo-efectividad los resultados son variados, con algunas intervenciones (4 de 10) con resultados favorables, mientras que en la mayoría de los estudios no se logra demostrar la mayor eficiencia de las intervenciones evaluadas, por sobre las forma de cuidado habitual. Un conocimiento más detallado de terminadas intervenciones, estrategias o modelos de atención de pacientes con demencia, requerirá de una revisión más focalizada, donde los documentos identificados se puedan revisar completamente. Las intervenciones abordadas en las RSL consideran modificaciones del entorno (ambientales), entrenamiento cognitivo, terapias grupales y terapias farmacológicas. Además de intervenciones dirigidas al cuidador. Sin embargo, se plantea que la gran mayoría de los estudios primarios son de mala calidad metodológica, lo que limita la validez de sus resultados. Las intervenciones deberían ser personalizadas, dado que la evidencia sobre terapias grupales no es sólida. La implementación exitosa de estas estrategias requiere compromiso activo del personal a cargo.

Aromaterapia: da gênese a atualidade / Aromatherapy: from genesis to today

Considerando que a Aromaterapia vem ao longo do tempo se consolidando como prática de grande relevância no tratamento de infecções e outras doenças do homem, decidiu-se produzir um levantamento exploratório bibliográfico desde sua origem até os dias atuais, com o intuito de acentuar cada vez mais a curiosidade e o conhecimento sobre essa arte e ciência milenar, que se apoia no uso racional dos óleos essenciais.

Over time, Aromatherapy has consolidated itself as a traditional and important practice for the treatment of infections and diseases of men. The purpose of the study is to conduct an exploratory literature review that encompasses its origin and its present-day scenario. Our intention is to call attention to the curiosity and knowledge that exists about this ancient art and science, which is based on the rational use of essential oils.

Aromaterapia e yogaterapia no climatério: Os efeitos de aromaterapia e yogaterapia na qualidade de vida, nos níveis de stress e na intensidade e frequência de fogacho em mulheres na fase do climatério / Aromatherapy and yogatherapy in climacterium: the effects of aromatherapy and yogatherapy on quality of life, stress levels and intensity and frequence of hot flashes in climacteric women

INTRODUCAO: Os sintomas de climaterio podem perturbar intensamente a vida, sendo o fogacho o sintoma de maior incidencia. Aromaterapia e yogaterapia podem oferecer tratamentos eficazes para sintomas de climaterio, em especial o fogacho, por apresentarem mecanismos terapeuticos semelhantes ao eixo fisiologico do fogacho. OBJETIVO PRINCIPAL: Verificar e analisar os desfechos clinicos fisiologicos e psicologicos da aromaterapia olfativa e de exercicios respiratorios de yogaterapia, associados e individualmente, na qualidade de vida, nos niveis de stress subjetivo e na intensidade e frequencia do fogacho de mulheres na fase do climaterio. METODO: Foram avaliadas 85 mulheres na fase do climaterio, das quais 64 participaram da Fase 1 (somente avaliacao) do estudo e 34 participaram da Fase 2 (tratamento). A coleta foi realizada no CEPE-USP. O estudo consiste de um ensaio clinico pragmatico com randomizacao restrita, controlado por grupo controle e placebo, duplo-cego, com intervencao baseada no modelo psiconeuroendocrinoimunologico. Foram realizados tratamentos com inalacao de sinergia aromaterapeutica com ou sem exercicios respiratorios de yogaterapia, durante 12 semanas, duas vezes por semana em sessoes de uma hora. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comite de Etica em Pesquisa da Escola de Educacao Fisica e Esporte da Universidade de Sao Paulo e foi inscrito no clinicaltrials.gov. RESULTADOS E DISCUSSAO: Os resultados da pesquisa mostraram melhora estatisticamente significante dos sintomas de climaterio para os tres grupos de intervencao. Houve diminuicao significativa do sintoma de fogacho, assim como da queixa de fogacho, sendo que o fogacho foi eliminado em cinco sujeitos. A intensidade e a frequencia de fogacho diminuiram em todos os grupos de intervencao e se mantiveram constantes no grupo controle. O tratamento proposto de aromaterapia se mostrou mais eficaz do que o tratamento proposto de yogaterapia na diminuicao do sintoma de fogacho, quando esses tratamentos eram aplicados isoladamente. A associacao das duas terapias se mostrou benefica, aumentando a eficacia e intensificando a melhora do sintoma de fogacho. Os efeitos globais dos tratamentos variaram intensamente quanto aos outros dominios de sintomas do climaterio. A melhora dos sintomas vasomotores do climaterio (fogacho e suor noturno), foi acompanhada de melhora significativa nos niveis de stress subjetivo, na qualidade do sono e da qualidade de vida em todos os grupos de intervencao. Esse trabalho tambem permitiu discussoes secundarias sobre o climaterio e as terapias, permitindo a sua compreensao a partir do modelo psiconeuroendocrinoimunologico. CONCLUSAO: Esse estudo serviu como um delineamento geral dos sintomas de climaterio, da aromaterapia e da yogaterapia a partir do modelo psiconeuroendocrinoimunologico. Os resultados apresentados nao podem ser generalizados para a populacao por causa da amostra pequena, mas podem indicar os resultados mais promissores e, com isso, esse trabalho pode ser o ponto de partida para novos estudos, auxiliando na elaboracao de questoes de pesquisa claras e metodos de pesquisa adequados para estuda-las.(AU)

INTRODUCTION: Climacteric symptoms can disturb life considerably. Hot flashes are the symptom with highest incidence. Aromatherapy and yogatherapy can offer efficient treatments for climacteric symptoms, specially hot flashes, because their therapeutic mechanisms are similar to the physiological mechanism of hot flashes. MAIN OBJECTIVE: To analyze the psychological and physiological clinical outcomes of olfactory aromatherapy and breathing exercises of yogatherapy, associated or individually, on the quality of life, subjective stress levels and intensity and frequency of hot flashes in women in the climacteric period. METHODS: 85 women in the climacteric period were evaluated, 64 of these subjects participated in Phase 1 (assessment) and 34 participated in Phase 2 (treatment) . Data collection was performed at CEPE-USP. The study consists of a doubleblind, pragmatic clinical trial with restricted randomization, controlled by control and placebo groups. The intervention was based on the psychoneuroendocrineimmunological model. Treatments were performed with inhalation of an aromatherapeutic synergy developed for the study with or without yogatherapy breathing exercises for 12 weeks, twice per week in one hour sessions. The study was approved by the ethics comitte Comite de Etica em Pesquisa da Escola de Educacao Fisica e Esporte da Universidade de Sao Paulo and was registered in clinicaltrials.gov. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results showed statistically significant improvement in symptoms of menopause for the three intervention groups. There was significant decrease in symptom of hot flashes, as well as complaints of hot flashes and this symptom was eliminated in five subjects. The intensity and frequency of hot flashes decreased in all intervention groups and remained constant in the control group. Aromatherapy was more effective than yogatherapy to decrease the symptoms of hot flashes, when these treatments were applied separately. The combination of the two therapies proved beneficial, increasing the effectiveness and enhancing the improvement of the symptom of hot flashes. The overall effects of the treatments varied intensely for other climacteric symptoms. The improvement of vasomotor symptoms of menopause (hot flashes and night sweats), was accompanied by a significant improvement in stress levels, quality of sleep and quality of life in all intervention groups. This research also permitted secondary discussions about climacterium and the therapies, permiting their understanding through the psychoneuroendocrineimmunological model. CONCLUSION: This study served as a general outline of climacteric symptoms, aromatherapy and yogatherapy through the psychoneuroendocrineimmunological model. The results cannot be generalized to the population because of the small sample size. However, the most promissing results can be indicated and this research can be the starting point for further studies, assisting in the preparation of clear research questions and suitable research methods to study them .(AU)

Práticas alternativas em gestão de pessoas: astrologia, feng shui, grafologia, numerologia, radiestesia, shiatsu; metafísica ou novas abordagens em administração? / Alternative practices in people management: astrology, feng shui, graphology, numerology, dowsing, shiatsu; metaphysics or new approaches in management?

As mudanças pela quais vem passando a área de gestão de pessoas têm suscitado o desenvolvimento de novas práticas, algumas ainda não validadas pela ciência, como é o caso da grafologia e do shiatsu e, outras, consideradas “ocultas” e, na melhor das hipóteses, metafísica, por sua origem mística, e que, alguns anos atrás, seria impensável o seu emprego como ferramentas em gestão empresarial, dentre elas a astrologia, a numerologia, o feng shui e a radiestesia. Este estudo identificou, descreveu e consolidou os dados de empresas que aplicam uma ou mais dessas práticas, revelando suas expectativas, quando optam por utilizá-las e os resultados alcançados. O referencial teórico, que deu sustentação à pesquisa, pautou-se na dimensão psíquica, através da análise da psicodinâmica organizacional e da psicologia analítica de Jung, na dimensão sociológica, através da cultura organizacional, na dimensão holística, que incorporou a perspectiva espiritual, e na dimensão administrativa, via análise das mudanças na gestão de pessoas e qualidade de vida no trabalho. Abordou-se ainda, de forma resumida, informações acerca das principais práticas alternativas. A metodologia de pesquisa consistiu de levantamentos quantitativo e qualitativo em empresas localizadas no eixo São Paulo/Rio de Janeiro, com o aprofundamento do estudo através da análise de multicasos. Foram entrevistados especialistas que atuam como consultores externos e gestores de 11 empresas de distintos portes e segmentos de atuação, que utilizam uma ou mais dessas ferramentas. Concluiu-se, dentre outros aspectos, que práticas alternativas são adotadas por diversos tipos, segmentos e portes de empresas, na maior parte das vezes, por definição da alta direção, e apenas em alguns casos, por iniciativa da área de recursos humanos.(AU)

The changes undergone by the personnel management area have given cause to the development of new practices, some of them still to be scientifically validated, such as graphology and shiatsu, others labeled as "occultism" and, on the best assumption, metaphysics because of their mystical origin, as for instance astrology, numerology, feng shui and radiesthesy. Years ago it would be unthinkable their use as a managerial tool. This study has identified, described and consolidated the data of firms which apply one of more of these practices, disclosing their expectations when they make an option for their use as well as the results obtained. The theoretical fframework that has given support for the research was based on the psychical dimension, through the organizational psychodynamic analysis and Jung's analytical psychology, on the sociological dimension, through the organizational culture, on the holistic dimension that has incorporated the spiritual prospect, and on the administrative dimension, through analysis of the changes in the personnel management and in the life in the workplace. In a summarized manner, information about the main alternative practices was also given. The research methodology consisted of quantitative and qualitative surveys in firms located around the São Paulo/Rio de Janeiro axis, with a deepening of the study through multicase analysis. Interviews have been made with specialists who act as external consultants and managers of 11 firms of various sizes and market segments that use one of these tools. One of the conclusions reached is that alternative practices are adopted by firms of various tips, sizes and market segments, in most cases by definition of higher management, and, just in a few cases, by initiative of the human resource area.(AU)