Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of aromatherapy and music listening with routine care on sleep parameters and cerebral oxygenation in children with epilepsy. Design and methods: This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted between February and December 2023 with children diagnosed with epilepsy living in Malatya Province and surrounding regions. The sample consisted of 90 children allocated to aromatherapy (n = 30), music listening (n = 30), and control (n = 30) groups. Children in the intervention groups received aromatherapy or music listening, whereas the control group received routine care only. Data were collected using the Patient Introduction and Follow-up Form, actigraphy, and the Cerebral Oxygen Monitoring Form. One-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, LSD, and Dunnett's C tests were used for data analysis. Results: Aromatherapy was associated with higher cerebral oxygen levels, longer time spent in bed, longer sleep duration, higher sleep efficiency, and lower sleep onset latency (p \< 0.05). Similarly, music listening was associated with higher cerebral oxygen levels, longer sleep duration, and higher sleep efficiency (p \< 0.05). Conclusion: Aromatherapy and music listening may improve selected sleep parameters and cerebral oxygenation in children with epilepsy. Practice implications: Aromatherapy and music listening may be considered supportive, non-pharmacological interventions for improving sleep and cerebral oxygenation in pediatric epilepsy care.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
90
Lavender aromatherapy administered by inhalation using a scented pillow
Child- or parentselected calming music at 45-65 dB
İnönü University Turgut Özal Medical Center
Malatya, Turkey (Türkiye)
Time Spent in Bed
Time spent in bed was objectively assessed using the Actiwatch 2 actigraphy device and Actiware 6 software. It represents the total time the child spent in bed during the monitored sleep period and was expressed in hours.
Time frame: 24-hour actigraphy monitoring period
Awakening Time During Sleep
Awakening time during sleep was objectively assessed using the Actiwatch 2 actigraphy device and Actiware 6 software. It represents the total duration of wakefulness occurring after sleep onset and before the end of the sleep period and was expressed in
Time frame: 24-hour actigraphy monitoring period
Number of Awakenings During Sleep
The number of awakenings during sleep was objectively assessed using the Actiwatch 2 actigraphy device and Actiware 6 software. It represents the number of episodes scored as wakefulness occurring during the monitored sleep period and was reported as a count.
Time frame: 24-hour actigraphy monitoring period
Sleep Duration
Sleep duration was objectively assessed using the Actiwatch 2 actigraphy device and Actiware 6 software. It represents the total amount of time scored as sleep during the monitored sleep period and was expressed in hours.
Time frame: 24-hour actigraphy monitoring period
Sleep Onset Latency
Sleep onset latency was objectively assessed using the Actiwatch 2 actigraphy device and Actiware 6 software. It represents the time from the beginning of the sleep period to sleep onset and was expressed in minutes.
Time frame: 24-hour actigraphy monitoring period
Sleep Efficiency
Sleep efficiency was objectively assessed using the Actiwatch 2 actigraphy device and Actiware 6 software. It represents the percentage of time spent asleep relative to the total time spent in bed during the monitored sleep period and was expressed as a percentage (%).
Time frame: 24-hour actigraphy monitoring period
Regional Cerebral Oxygen Saturation (rSO₂)
Regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO₂) was assessed noninvasively using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) with the INVOS 5100C system and compatible INVOS pediatric sensors. rSO₂ values were recorded at 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 minutes during the monitoring period. The five measurements were averaged to obtain one mean rSO₂ value for each participant. Regional cerebral oxygen saturation was expressed as a percentage (%).
Time frame: 150-minute NIRS monitoring period
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