Meta-Analysis of Aromatherapy for Obesity

Heo , Heo Seon-hee; Yoo, Seongmo

Journal of the Korean Society of Cosmetology 2017;23(2):377-385.
Published online April 30, 2017.

아로마요법의 비만관리효과에 대한 메타분석

허선희, 유성모

Meta-Analysis of Aromatherapy for Obesity

Heo Seon-hee Heo , Seongmo Yoo

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to suggest a reasonable method to calculate effect size from an individual study, and to conduct meta-analysis of aromatherapy for obesity care. It is found that independent t-test and analysis of covariance is generally recommended in nonequivalent pretest-posttest control group research design with continuous variables, and standardized mean difference is also recommended in meta-analysis. Therefore, it is proposed that Hedges` g based on the mean difference of pre/post-test change for experimental and control groups should be used in meta-analysis with nonequivalent control group research design. Meta-analysis of aromatherapy for women`s obesity care is conducted with research papers published between January, 2000 to December, 2016. It is found that aromatherapy is effective on reducing weight, body mass index, circumference of waist and abdomen, and is also effective on controlling total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. It is also found that there is heterogeneity among the effect sizes, however, there are no publication biases. Standardization of aromatherapy is suggested to overcome heterogeneity.

Key Words: Aromatherapy, Effect size, Meta-analysis, Obesity, Research design