Aromatherapy on Upper Limb Spasticity on Stroke Survivors

This study employed a double-arm, pre- and post-test design. Stroke survivors aged 65 or above with post-stroke upper limbs spasticity were recruited from two RCHEs in Hong Kong between February and June 2025, and were divided into control and intervention groups. 10-minute massage was given on subjects' upper limbs two times per week by an IFPA aromatherapist using massage oil with a mixture of sweet marjoram essential oil and fractionated coconut organic carrier oil (intervention group) or plain fractionated coconut organic carrier oil (control group) for four weeks. The range of motion (ROM) of the upper limbs in three planes, i.e., abduction, flexion and extension and pain level and blood pressure were assessed before and after each massage session. Psychosocial well-being of elders was assessed at baseline and 4 weeks post-intervention using Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).