Comparing Effects Between Music Intervention and Aromatherapy on Blood Pressure Among Hypertensive Patients: A Feasibility Study Conducted in Indonesia

Introduction: The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of music therapy versus aromatherapy on blood pressure among hypertensive patients in Indonesia. Methods: A quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest control group design was used. A music therapy was delivered classical music Beethoven symphony number 5 (the duration was 5 minutes) by using earphones and another group received dropped lavender essential oil on cotton as many as three drops, then inhaled for 10 minutes and inhaled every 2-3 breaths. The inclusion criteria were aged over 18 years old, stage I hypertension, and stage II. Results: A total of 44 subjects have participated in the study (22 in both music and aromatherapy). Subjects ranged from 31-60 years old (mean= 54, SD=5.9), and most subjects were female (72.7 %). In the aromatherapy group, the average delta systolic was significantly higher than in the music therapy group (p<.05). Despite not significant, the delta diastolic of the music therapy group tended to higher compare to the aromatherapy group. Conclusion: Patients with high blood pressure may benefit from both music and aromatherapy. Nurses can employ music to create a healing environment and possibly lower blood pressure in hypertension patients utilizing low-cost, non-invasive, and simple procedures.