Comparison of the Effect of Lavender and Bitter Orange on Depression and Sleep Quality in Menopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Menopause is an inevitable milestone and an important stage in the every woman’s life. Due to its association with changes and complications, menopause is considered a critical period with psychological changes and common sleep problems. This study aimed to compare the effects of lavender and bitter orange on depression and sleep quality in menopausal women. Methods: This triple-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 156 menopausal women. Eligible women were allocated into two intervention groups and one control group with a ratio of 1:1:1 through the randomized block design. Intervention groups received 500 mg capsules containing only bitter orange or lavender flower’s powder and control group received 500 mg starch capsules, all groups used capsules twice daily after breakfast and dinner for 8 weeks. Capsules were in the same appearance. Beck Depression Inventory and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory were completed by the participants before and 8-week after the commencement intervention. Results: The one-way ANOVA analysis showed no significant difference in mean depression scores in the three groups before the intervention (P= 0.262); however, the general linear model test adjusted for base line and confounding factors such as menopausal age and women age showed significant differences between the groups in the mean depression score after 8 weeks of treatment (P< 0.001). The one-way ANOVA analysis showed slightly significant difference in mean sleep quality scores between the three groups before the intervention (p = 0.045); however, the general linear model test adjusted for baseline and confounding factors showed significant differences between the groups in the mean sleep quality score after 8 weeks of treatment (P< 0.001).