Concussion patients are hemodynamically instable due to damage to the brainstem and the stresses experienced by patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Hemodynamic instability deteriorates awareness and declines consciousness in these patients. Alternative medical therapies such as massage and aromatherapy are used as new therapies with very few side effects in order to treat these patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy massage with mint essential oil on physiological parameters of concussion patients hospitalized in the ICU. This was a semi-experimental study. The statistical sample consisted of 38 concussion patients hospitalized in the ICU. Eligible individuals were selected using targeted sampling method. The selected individuals were randomly divided into two groups (experimental and control). In the experimental group, the patients underwent 20 minutes of massages on hands and feet with 4% diluted mint and sweet almond essential oils for three consecutive days. Nonresponse overview scale (FOUR) was used to measure the level of awareness. Furthermore, physiological parameters were measured using monitoring devices. The results showed that the intervention significantly decreased vital signs of the patients in the experimental group (systolic and diastolic blood pressures and pulse rate every three days; rates of respiration on the third day and arterial blood oxygen saturation% on the second day) (P < 0.05). The two groups were compared using independent t-test. Physiological parameters were significantly reduced in three days in the experimental group compared to control. Aromatherapy massage with mint oil regulated vital signs more effectively than aromatherapy massage with almond oil in concussion patients hospitalized in the ICU. However, further interventions are required to use this technique for clinical practice.
