Discussion
depression, breathlessness
INFLUENZA
This study investigated whether mask seals containing orange–lime essential oils could alleviate stress and breathlessness while wearing a mask and improve mental well-being. The findings revealed a significant improvement in stress and depression, as determined by the DASS-21 scores, in the aroma-seal use group compared to the placebo-seal use group, as well as significantly moderated breathlessness with mask use. In addition, the aroma-seal use group scored significantly higher than the placebo-seal use group on the WHO-5 question, “I have felt calm and relaxed.”Based on the findings of this study, aroma seal masks may have utility in various aspects of daily life. For example, they could offer numerous advantages during extended stays on airplanes. Firstly, the aroma’s scent has been suggested to reduce stress and induce relaxation, potentially aiding in relaxation and stress reduction during long flights. Additionally, aroma seal masks may enhance comfort and improve sleep quality, making them a potential contributor to passenger comfort and well-being in situations such as air travel. With these possibilities in mind, there is potential to enhance the quality of life for many individuals.Previous studies have shown that essential oils are effective and safe as fragrances and that inhaling them has psychophysiological effects on humans [While wearing masks, breathlessness was shown to be relieved more effectively in the aroma-seal use group than the placebo-seal use group. In recent years, aroma sprays for masks have become available on the market; however, aroma seals are less likely to volatilize than aroma sprays and their effects are expected to last longer. Because masks are often worn for long periods of time, aroma seals may be more effective in alleviating breathlessness than sprays.Among the WHO-5 questionnaire items on the Mental Status Assessment Scale, the score on the item ’I have felt calm and relaxed’ was statistically significant, consistent with the previous reports [Several studies on the safety of essential oils have recently been conducted [This study has some limitations. First, there was a gender bias among the participants because nearly 90% of the study participants were female. Women are generally known to have a better sense of smell than men [The significance of this research is that it was conducted in a situation in which people all over the world were wearing masks due to the spread of COVID-19 and experiencing stress and breathlessness. In this study, we conducted a randomized controlled trial using citrus aroma seals to alleviate stress and breathlessness caused by wearing masks. So far, there have been no reports of such a study being conducted on healthy subjects in their daily lives. Masks have traditionally been used to prevent conditions like influenza [Ambient scents have long been recognized to influence people’s moods and social, emotional, and cognitive well-being [