Same questions as the previous post.
http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=163455&CultureCode=en
The aroma of rosemary essential oil may improve ability of people
over 65 to remember events and to remember to complete tasks at
particular times in the future.
This is the finding of a study by
post-graduate student Lauren Bussey, Lucy Moss and Dr Mark Moss of
Northumbria University who will present their research today, Wednesday
27 April 2016, at the British Psychological Society’s Annual Conference
in Nottingham.
Lauren Bussey said: “In this study we focused on
prospective memory. This involves the ability to remember events that
will occur in the future and to remember to complete tasks at particular
times. It’s critical for everyday functioning. For example: when
someone needs to remember to post a letter or to take medication at a
particular time.”
Rosemary and lavender essential oil were
diffused in a testing room by placing four drops on an aroma stream fan
diffuser and switching this on five minutes before the participants
entered the room. A total of 150 people aged over 65 took part in the
study and were randomly allocated to either the
rosemary/lavender-scented room or another room with no scent.
Once
in the room they undertook tests designed to assess their prospective
memory functions. These included remembering to pass on a message at a
given time during the procedure, and switching tasks when a specific
event occurred. These tasks represent the two components of prospective
memory: time-based (remembering to do something at a specific time such
as watch a TV show) and event-based (remembering to do something due to
an environmental cue such as posting a letter after seeing a post box).
Participants also completed mood assessment before and after undertaking tests in the scented or non-scented rooms.
Analysis
of the results showed that the rosemary aroma significantly enhanced
prospective memory compared to the room with no aroma. In terms of mood,
rosemary significantly increased alertness and lavender significantly
increased calmness and contentedness compared to the no aroma control
condition
Lauren Bussey said: “These findings support previous research
indicating that the aroma of rosemary essential oil can enhance
cognitive functioning in healthy adults. This is the first time that
similar effects have been demonstrated in the healthy over 65’s.
Further investigation is required to understand the potential beneifts
of these aromas throughout the life span.”
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