Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of smoking cessation program applying aromatherapy massage on female college students' quitting of smoking.
METHODS
Forty-eight female college students were assigned to a smoking cessation program applying aromatherapy massage or a control group. The treatment group was taught to conduct a self hand massage with aroma essence oil. Lavender extra, Camomile roman and Bergamotte aroma essence oil were used for massage. The results of this study showed that the smoking cessation program applying aromatherapy massage resulted in significant effects on the number of cigarettes smoked per day, anxiety, smoking cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings presented above suggest that the smoking cessation program applying aromatherapy massage may be an effective intervention for female college students attempting to quit smoking to alleviate smoking-related anxiety and to reduce the number of cigarettes smoked, smoking cravings and withdrawal symptoms.