Effect of Rose Scent on Physiological Signifiers of Anxiety

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the efficacy of using aromatherapy to treat the physiological symptoms of stress. While taking a high school level math skills test, experimental participants were exposed to aromatherapy via the test proctor applying lotion with rose scent and allowing the scent to diffuse throughout the room. An unscented lotion was applied during the control trials. Respiratory rate (RR), electrodermal activity (EDA), and heart rate (HR) were the three physiological indicators of stress measured. The results of the EDA & HR tests showed no significant differences before and after lotion application in both the treatment and control groups. Both of the RR groups showed significant differences after lotion treatment. The control group showed a decrease in RR after treatment (p < .05). The experimental group showed an increase in RR after treatment (p-value < 0.05). The aromatherapy was not found to be an effective treatment for the physiological symptoms of stress.