earticle

영어

This study investigated the effects of Origanum majorana (O. majorana, Majoram ) aroma on electroencephalogram (EEG) in persons with poor sleep quality. Sleep quality of male adults aged of twenties were analyzed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and they were divided into two groups of good sleep quality (n=11) and poor sleep quality (n=6). EEG electrodes were attached at the frontal, temporal, occipital, and parietal regions according to the International 10-20 system. EEG was measured for 3 min per each period of before, during, and after marjoram aroma therapy. Results showed that majoram aroma reduced tense feeling and did not affect blood pressures in both groups. Pulse rate was significantly reduced in the group of good sleep quality although it was within the normal range. In EEG results, subjects with good sleep quality showed decrease in delta power and increase in beta power at the temporal region of right cerebral hemisphere. However, theta powers at the temporal, occipital, parietal regions of both cerebral hemisphere, and frontal region of the left cerebral hemisphere were significantly increased. On the other hand, subjects with poor sleep quality showed increases in the theta power at the frontal and occipital region of left cerebral hemisphere, and at the parietal region of right cerebral hemisphere. It is concluded that marjoram aroma has a beneficial sleep inducing effect in the male adults with good and poor sleep quality.