Therapeutic potential of flower fragrance diffusion on heart rate variability among hospitalized patients

TL;DR

This study shows that diffusing flower fragrance in hospitals can improve heart rate variability and emotional responses in patients.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that flower fragrance exposure can modulate HRV and hedonic responses in hospitalized patients.

Findings

Flower fragrance diffusion significantly increased HRV parameters like SDNN, rMSSD, and pNN50.

Hedonic responses improved significantly after fragrance exposure.

Hedonic ratings were positively correlated with HRV improvements.

Abstract

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a non-invasive measure of autonomic nervous system activity and may be influenced by environmental
odors. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the effect of flower fragrance diffusion on HRV in hospitalized patients. Thirty adults
admitted to obstetrics and chemotherapy wards underwent baseline HRV assessment, 60-minute flower fragrance exposure and post-intervention
HRV recording. Hedonic responses were rated on an 11-point scale pre- and post-exposure. Fragrance diffusion significantly increased HRV
parameters including SDNN (p<0.05), rMSSD (p<0.01) and pNN50 (p<0.001), with improved hedonic ratings (p<0.001). Hedonic
responses were positively correlated with HRV (r=0.42, p<0.01), suggesting flower fragrance diffusion favorably modulates HRV and
emotional responses, suggesting potential benefit as a supportive intervention in clinical wards.