The Effects of Aromatherapy With Thyme Oil on Disease Symptoms, Vital Findings, and Hemodynamic Parameters in COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Uğur Öner, Zeliha Cengiz, Ahmet Erol
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In 30 seconds
This pre-test–post-test randomized controlled study evaluated inhaled thyme oil in inpatients with COPD, despite the title referring to COVID-19. The intervention group (60 patients) inhaled thyme oil three times daily for five days; 60 controls received no intervention. By day five, the intervention group had significantly fewer COPD symptoms than controls. The abstract also reports higher pH and O₂ levels, lower CO₂ levels, and, from day three, higher oxygen saturation and lower respiratory rates. No numerical effect sizes are provided.
Key findings
- Thyme-oil inhalation was associated with significantly reduced COPD symptoms, including dyspnea, cough, and secretion, compared with no intervention.
- The intervention group had higher pH and O₂ levels and lower CO₂ levels than controls.
- From the third day, oxygen saturation was higher and respiratory rates were lower in the intervention group.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that inhaled thyme oil may affect symptoms and measured respiratory or hemodynamic parameters in hospitalized patients with COPD. These outcomes are clinically relevant, but the abstract provides no effect sizes, and the reported results alone do not establish the magnitude or broader applicability of any benefit.
What to keep in mind
The study involved inpatients with COPD, although the title refers to COVID-19. The abstract reports no numerical effect sizes and describes only five days of intervention and assessment.