芳香療法對神經病理性疼痛的影響：隨機對照試驗之薈萃分析

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of aromatherapy on neuropathic pain severity in people suffering from neuropathy. Design: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was conducted. Methods: Six databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, CINAHL, OVID, and The Cochrane Library) were searched for studies published between January 2010 and October 2020. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aromatherapy intervention for people with neuropathic pain were included. Results: This meta-analysis included four RCTs, comprising 246 participants in total. Neuropathic pain was significantly suppressed by aromatherapy intervention in both the massage and non-massage groups. Conclusions: The meta-analysis findings suggest aromatherapy as an effective intervention for people with neuropathic pain. Aromatherapy could be considered an adjuvant in clinical neuropathic pain management for patients needing long-term anti-analgesic drug treatment or patients with neuropathic pain.