Abstract

Aims of the study: The aim of the study is to compare the effect of aromatherapy combined with music therapy and music therapy only on exam anxiety, cognition, sleep quality and affectivity among students who are facing their main exams.
Materials and methods Participants: The study was conducted on 54 medical students of age group from 18 to 23 years.
Design: A randomized controlled study was conducted on 54 participants at residential medical college.
Method: 72 participants were screened to take part in the study. Out of 72 participants, 54 participants were eligible for the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After informing about the study and obtaining consent form from the participants, all 54 participants were randomly assigned to aromatherapy combined with music therapy group (n=18), only music therapy group (n=18) and control group(n=18). The intervention in the aromatherapy combined with music therapy group was inhalation of chamomile-lavender mixed aroma while listening to Beethoven’s moonlight sonata using noisecancellation earphones for 20 minutes for consecutive five days.
Results: Aroma therapy combined with music therapy had a significant effect on exam anxiety (F=42.770, p=< 0.001), cognition (F=0.821, p=0.017), sleep quality (F=29.301, p=< 0.001), and positive affectivity (F=4.266, p=0.019) compared with music therapy alone as an intervention.
Conclusion: Aromatherapy combined with music therapy helped more in reducing exam anxiety and improving the quality of sleep, cognitive functions and positive affectivity in the college students compared to music therapy groups.

Keywords:Aromatherapy; Music therapy; Anxiety, Sleep; Cognition; Positive and negative affectivity