Abstract
Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of inhaled aromatherapy on nurses' occupational well-being (stress, sleep quality, fatigue, and anxiety) to provide integrated evidence for nonpharmacologic management strategies.
Methods: Following PRISMA and the Cochrane Handbook, randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials were identified using PICOSD criteria. Independent reviewers screened, extracted, and synthesized data. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria.
Results: Across 14 studies, inhaled aromatherapy was associated with improvements in nurses' outcomes. Stress decreased versus controls (SMD = -0.70; 95% CI -1.12 to -0.28; I2 = 65%). Sleep quality improved (SMD = -0.49; 95% CI -0.71 to -0.27; I2 = 0%), and fatigue declined (SMD = -0.84; 95% CI -1.09 to -0.60; I2 = 0%). For anxiety, the pooled effect suggested a reduction that did not reach statistical significance (SMD = -0.41; 95% CI -1.12 to 0.30) with high heterogeneity (I2 = 84%). Overall, effects were most consistent for sleep and fatigue.
Implications for Nursing Practice: Inhaled aromatherapy is a low-cost, self-administered intervention that can reduce stress and fatigue and improve sleep quality among nurses. Integrating aromatherapy into organizational wellness programs may enhance resilience, retention, and patient safety. Future studies should standardize protocols, assess long-term effects, and address the high heterogeneity in anxiety outcomes.
Notes
References:
1. Borenstein M, Hedges LV, Higgins JPT, Rothstein HR. Introduction to meta-analysis. 2nd ed. Hoboken (NJ): John Wiley & Sons; 2021.
2. Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch V. Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. Hoboken: Wiley. 2019;4. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119536604
3. Deeks JJ, Higgins JP, Altman DG, Group CSM. Analysing data and undertaking meta-analyses. Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. 2019:241-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103337
4. Kim SY, Park DA, Seo HJ, Shin SS, Lee SJ, Jang BH, Cha YJ, Choi MY, Park JY, Suh YS. NECA’s guidance for assessing tools of risk of bias. Seoul: National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency; 2021.
5. Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. Updating guidance for reporting systematic reviews: development of the PRISMA 2020 statement. J Clin Epidemiol. 2021;134:103-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2021.02.003
6. Sterne JA, Hernán MA, McAleenan A, Reeves BC, Higgins JP. Assessing risk of bias in a non-randomized study. Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. 2019:621-41. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119536604.ch25
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Meta-Analysis/Synthesis
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Stress and Coping, Workforce, Aromatherapy, Well-Being, Job Stress
Recommended Citation
Woo, Ari and Kim, Kyungsook, "Effects of Aromatherapy on Nurses’ Occupational Well-being: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 4.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/posters_2026/4
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-07-20
Effects of Aromatherapy on Nurses’ Occupational Well-being: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of inhaled aromatherapy on nurses' occupational well-being (stress, sleep quality, fatigue, and anxiety) to provide integrated evidence for nonpharmacologic management strategies.
Methods: Following PRISMA and the Cochrane Handbook, randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials were identified using PICOSD criteria. Independent reviewers screened, extracted, and synthesized data. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria.
Results: Across 14 studies, inhaled aromatherapy was associated with improvements in nurses' outcomes. Stress decreased versus controls (SMD = -0.70; 95% CI -1.12 to -0.28; I2 = 65%). Sleep quality improved (SMD = -0.49; 95% CI -0.71 to -0.27; I2 = 0%), and fatigue declined (SMD = -0.84; 95% CI -1.09 to -0.60; I2 = 0%). For anxiety, the pooled effect suggested a reduction that did not reach statistical significance (SMD = -0.41; 95% CI -1.12 to 0.30) with high heterogeneity (I2 = 84%). Overall, effects were most consistent for sleep and fatigue.
Implications for Nursing Practice: Inhaled aromatherapy is a low-cost, self-administered intervention that can reduce stress and fatigue and improve sleep quality among nurses. Integrating aromatherapy into organizational wellness programs may enhance resilience, retention, and patient safety. Future studies should standardize protocols, assess long-term effects, and address the high heterogeneity in anxiety outcomes.
Description
Focus: Clinical
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies evaluates the effects of inhaled aromatherapy on nurses’ occupational well-being. Findings show significant improvements in stress, sleep quality, and fatigue, with a nonsignificant trend for anxiety. Participants will learn evidence-based, practical approaches to integrate aromatherapy as a low-cost, self-administered intervention in nursing practice.