Research has previously demonstrated that aromas of both Salvia officinalis and Salvia lavandulaefolia are capable of modulating aspects of retrospective memory, attention and mood. This study is the first to report t...Research has previously demonstrated that aromas of both Salvia officinalis and Salvia lavandulaefolia are capable of modulating aspects of retrospective memory, attention and mood. This study is the first to report the potential for these aromas to enhance everyday prospective memory performance in healthy young adults. In an independent groups design, three conditions, Salvia officinalis aroma, Saliva lavandulaefolia aroma and no aroma were employed with 45 healthy volunteers in each condition. Prospective memory performance was assessed using the Prospective Remembering Video Procedure. Data analysis revealed that the Salvia officinalis aroma group performed significantly better than the control group on both event and action subscales of the prospective memory task. Saliva lavandulaefolia aroma only led to enhancement for the event measure when compared to controls. No differences were found between the aroma conditions. These findings offer support for those previously reported for the effects of the aromas of Salvia sp. on cognition and again demonstrate differential effects of the two aromas. The results are considered in terms of pharmacological mechanisms.展开更多
Essential oils of pure lavender and lavender blends have been employed as potential anxiolytic aromas in aromatherapy, but a direct comparison of their effectiveness is lacking. The current study investigated the effe...Essential oils of pure lavender and lavender blends have been employed as potential anxiolytic aromas in aromatherapy, but a direct comparison of their effectiveness is lacking. The current study investigated the effects of aroma on induced anxiety in non-clinical adults, comparing pure lavender, a commercially available blend and a no aroma control. An experimental, quantitative, mixed factorial design with an opportunity sample of 60 participants was employed. Participants were randomly allocated to three equal groups, one tested in a room infused with lavender aroma, the second with the doTerra Peace<sup>®</sup> blend, and the third free from any aroma. Participants’ state anxiety scores were measured before and after a novel video-based anxiety induction procedure. Data analysis revealed that the anxiety induction was successful and that both aromas delivered small to medium-sized buffering effects compared to no aroma. The findings add to a small body of research in an area where the practice is global yet has limited scientific evaluation. Future studies utilising brain imaging and blood serum analysis to investigate the anxiolytic mechanism of aromas would be beneficial to further our understanding.展开更多
This study investigated the potential impact of the acute ingestion of No. 1 Rosemary water—a commercially available carbonated water containing an extract of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). Twenty healthy adults ...This study investigated the potential impact of the acute ingestion of No. 1 Rosemary water—a commercially available carbonated water containing an extract of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). Twenty healthy adults were randomly allocated to consume either 330 ml of No. 1 Rosemary water or plain carbonated water. They then completed a series of subjective measures and cognitive tasks including a fifteen-minute session on a stress inducing multi-tasking framework, followed by a second completion of the subjective measures. Heart rate and blood pressure were monitored throughout the procedure. Given the pilot nature of the study, analysis of the data eschewed significance testing for the calculation of Cohen’s d measure of effect sizes. These revealed a number of small enhancement effects on cognition, consistent with those found previously for the inhalation of the aroma of Rosemary essential oil, and oral administration of dried herb. Of particular interest here are the reduced subjective evaluations of stress, and the blunted physiological reactivity noted for heart rate and blood pressure, which represent novel findings in this area. Taken together the data suggest further investigation of this product is warranted with regard to its potential beneficial properties.展开更多
Purpose The primary aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among Asian athletes participating in indoor and outdoor sports in equatorial Singapore.Secondary aims are...Purpose The primary aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among Asian athletes participating in indoor and outdoor sports in equatorial Singapore.Secondary aims are to examine the relationship between vitamin D status and skeletal muscle strength and performance,and bone density.Methods Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were determined in 95 indoor and outdoor athletes across various sports.Skeletal muscle strength and performance were assessed using the isometric mid-thigh pull(IMTP),drop jump test and 30 m sprint test.Bone Mineral Density(BMD)was measured using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry(DXA).Results Mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 28.6±8.9 ng/mL among indoor,and 39.2±13.2 ng/mL among outdoor sport athletes respectively(P<0.05).More indoor sport athletes(62%)had insufficient vitamin D compared to outdoor sport athletes(30%)(P<0.05).Outdoor sport athletes exhibited significantly greater peak force generation than indoor sport athletes(2079±470 N vs.1869±546 N,P=0.027).Other markers of muscle function were not significantly different between groups.Indoor and outdoor sport athletes did not have significantly different BMDs although none of the athletes studied presented with poor BMD.Athletes who were deficient in vitamin D had significantly lower BMD compared to athletes with sufficient vitamin D(P=0.01).Conclusion Forty-seven percent of Singaporean athletes studied had suboptimal vitamin D status.Routine monitoring of vitamin D levels among indoor sport athletes should be in place to ensure optimal health and performance.展开更多
文摘Research has previously demonstrated that aromas of both Salvia officinalis and Salvia lavandulaefolia are capable of modulating aspects of retrospective memory, attention and mood. This study is the first to report the potential for these aromas to enhance everyday prospective memory performance in healthy young adults. In an independent groups design, three conditions, Salvia officinalis aroma, Saliva lavandulaefolia aroma and no aroma were employed with 45 healthy volunteers in each condition. Prospective memory performance was assessed using the Prospective Remembering Video Procedure. Data analysis revealed that the Salvia officinalis aroma group performed significantly better than the control group on both event and action subscales of the prospective memory task. Saliva lavandulaefolia aroma only led to enhancement for the event measure when compared to controls. No differences were found between the aroma conditions. These findings offer support for those previously reported for the effects of the aromas of Salvia sp. on cognition and again demonstrate differential effects of the two aromas. The results are considered in terms of pharmacological mechanisms.
文摘Essential oils of pure lavender and lavender blends have been employed as potential anxiolytic aromas in aromatherapy, but a direct comparison of their effectiveness is lacking. The current study investigated the effects of aroma on induced anxiety in non-clinical adults, comparing pure lavender, a commercially available blend and a no aroma control. An experimental, quantitative, mixed factorial design with an opportunity sample of 60 participants was employed. Participants were randomly allocated to three equal groups, one tested in a room infused with lavender aroma, the second with the doTerra Peace<sup>®</sup> blend, and the third free from any aroma. Participants’ state anxiety scores were measured before and after a novel video-based anxiety induction procedure. Data analysis revealed that the anxiety induction was successful and that both aromas delivered small to medium-sized buffering effects compared to no aroma. The findings add to a small body of research in an area where the practice is global yet has limited scientific evaluation. Future studies utilising brain imaging and blood serum analysis to investigate the anxiolytic mechanism of aromas would be beneficial to further our understanding.
文摘This study investigated the potential impact of the acute ingestion of No. 1 Rosemary water—a commercially available carbonated water containing an extract of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). Twenty healthy adults were randomly allocated to consume either 330 ml of No. 1 Rosemary water or plain carbonated water. They then completed a series of subjective measures and cognitive tasks including a fifteen-minute session on a stress inducing multi-tasking framework, followed by a second completion of the subjective measures. Heart rate and blood pressure were monitored throughout the procedure. Given the pilot nature of the study, analysis of the data eschewed significance testing for the calculation of Cohen’s d measure of effect sizes. These revealed a number of small enhancement effects on cognition, consistent with those found previously for the inhalation of the aroma of Rosemary essential oil, and oral administration of dried herb. Of particular interest here are the reduced subjective evaluations of stress, and the blunted physiological reactivity noted for heart rate and blood pressure, which represent novel findings in this area. Taken together the data suggest further investigation of this product is warranted with regard to its potential beneficial properties.
文摘Purpose The primary aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among Asian athletes participating in indoor and outdoor sports in equatorial Singapore.Secondary aims are to examine the relationship between vitamin D status and skeletal muscle strength and performance,and bone density.Methods Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were determined in 95 indoor and outdoor athletes across various sports.Skeletal muscle strength and performance were assessed using the isometric mid-thigh pull(IMTP),drop jump test and 30 m sprint test.Bone Mineral Density(BMD)was measured using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry(DXA).Results Mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 28.6±8.9 ng/mL among indoor,and 39.2±13.2 ng/mL among outdoor sport athletes respectively(P<0.05).More indoor sport athletes(62%)had insufficient vitamin D compared to outdoor sport athletes(30%)(P<0.05).Outdoor sport athletes exhibited significantly greater peak force generation than indoor sport athletes(2079±470 N vs.1869±546 N,P=0.027).Other markers of muscle function were not significantly different between groups.Indoor and outdoor sport athletes did not have significantly different BMDs although none of the athletes studied presented with poor BMD.Athletes who were deficient in vitamin D had significantly lower BMD compared to athletes with sufficient vitamin D(P=0.01).Conclusion Forty-seven percent of Singaporean athletes studied had suboptimal vitamin D status.Routine monitoring of vitamin D levels among indoor sport athletes should be in place to ensure optimal health and performance.
