The Effects of Aromatherapy on Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Table 3
Pooled estimates of the effects of aromatherapy on premenstrual syndrome symptoms within different subgroups.
Number of trials
WMD (95% CI)
value
heterogeneity
I2 (%)
Psychological symptoms
Physical symptoms
Psychological symptoms
Physical symptoms
Psychological symptoms
Physical symptoms
Psychological symptoms
Physical symptoms
Psychological symptoms
Physical symptoms
Total
17
8
−1.79 (−2.54, −1.04)
−1.27 (−1.96, −0.58)
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
96.2
92.9
PMS symptoms
Score of psychological symptoms
3
—
−3.73 (−4.22, −3.25)
—
<0.001
—
0.003
—
82.6
—
Anxiety
5
—
−0.51 (−0.77, −0.26)
—
<0.001
—
<0.001
—
94.2
—
Depression
5
—
−0.58 (−0.88, −0.28)
—
<0.001
—
<0.001
—-
93.7
—
Confusion
4
-
−0.50 (−0.78, −0.21)
—
0.001
—
0.03
—
66.5
—
Score of physical symptoms
—
3
—
−0.90 (−1.12, −0.69)
—
<0.001
—
<0.001
—
96.4
Fatigue
—
5
—
−0.82 (−1.08, −0.56)
—
<0.001
—
<0.001
—
89.7
Study design
Parallel
9
6
−0.73 (−0.88, −0.57)
−0.84 (−1.01, −0.67)
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
95.6
94.3
Crossover
8
2
−3.59 (−4.33, −2.84)
−1.62 (−2.45, −0.79)
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
0.094
89.9
64.4
Outcome assessment tool
PSST
8
4
−0.49 (−0.65, −0.32)
−0.95 (−1.18, −0.71)
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
87.3
94.7
POMS
6
2
−1.45 (−2.38, −0.52)
−1.62 (−2.45, −0.79)
<0.001
0.005
0.025
0.094
61.2
64.4
ACOG
2
1
−7.32 (−8.55, −6.09)
−4.40 (−5.74, −3.05)
<0.001
<0.001
0.28
—
14.2
—
PMS score
1
1
−4.04 (−4.63, −3.44)
−0.60 (−0.84, −0.35)
<0.001
<0.001
—
—
—
—
Duration of treatment
<2 mo
6
2
−1.45 (−2.38, −0.52)
−1.62 (−2.45, −0.79)
0.002
0.005
0.025
0.094
61.2
64.4
=2 mo
9
5
−0.73 (−0.88, −0.57)
−0.78 (−0.95, −0.61)
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
95.6
93.4
>2 mo
2
1
−7.32 (−8.55, −6.09)
−4.40 (−5.74, −3.05)
<0.001
<0.001
0.28
—
14.2
—
Sample size
<20
6
2
−1.45 (−2.38, −0.52)
−1.62 (−2.45, −0.79)
0.002
<0.001
0.025
0.098
61.2
64.4
≥20
11
6
−0.83 (−0.99, −0.68)
−0.84 (−1.01, −0.67)
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
96.6
95.3
ACOG, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; CI, confidence interval; PMS, premenstrual syndrome; POMS, Profile of Mood State; PSST, premenstrual symptoms screening tool; WMD, weighted mean difference.
