The effect of aromatherapy and music concert applied to children with epilepsy on sleep and cerebral oxygen level

Aim: This study was conducted to examine the effects of aromayherapy and music concerts applied to children with epilepsy on sleep and cerebral oxygen levels. Material and Method: The research was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study with children diagnosed with epilepsy in Malatya Province, its districts and surrounding provinces between February and December 2023. The sample of the study consisted of 90 children diagnosed with epilepsy (aromatherapy (n=30), music recital (n=30), control (n=30)) from Malatya Province, its districts and surrounding provinces. Sleep parameters and cerebral oxygen levels were evaluated for the children in the experimental group through aromatherapy and music recital applications. No intervention was applied to the children in the control group other than routine practices. Data were collected with 'Patient Introduction and Monitoring Form', 'Actigraphy' and 'Cerebral Oxygen Monitoring Form'. In evaluating the data, analysis of variance, Kruksal Wallis, chi square, advanced analysis; Mann Whitney U test was used, LSD test was used when the variances were homogeneous, and Dunnet C test was used when they were not. Results: Aromatherapy intervention in children with epilepsy; It was determined that it increased cerebral oxygen level, time in bed, sleep duration and sleep efficiency, while it decreased the delay of sleep onset (p<0.05). Listening to music in children with epilepsy; It was determined that it increased cerebral oxygen level, sleep duration and sleep efficiency (p<0.05). Conclusion: It has been found that aromatherapy and music recitals improve the sleep parameters and cerebral oxygen levels of children with epilepsy. Keywords: Aromatherapy, Music, Epilepsy, Sleep, Cerebral oxygen