Zeitschrift für Depression und Angst
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Abstrakt

Effects of Warm, Steam and Aroma Mask on Breathing Rhythm and Emotion

Oda H, Igaki M, Suzuki A and Homma I

Objective: People generally use a mask to prevent inhaling or exhaling fine particles or bacteria. However, it hinders breathing to some extent and causes an unpleasant feeling. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the material of mask.
Methods: In this study, in 14 healthy male subjects we examined the effect and sensation or impression of aroma sheets (A), warm-steam sheets (WS) and warm-steam-aroma sheets (WSA) set in a mask. Respiratory rate (RR), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) for different feelings were analyzed during the application of a mask with (WS), (A) or (WSA) and compared with the results without such sheets.
Results: RR and state anxiety scores were decreased during the wearing of the masks. Differences in RR and state anxiety score showed a significantly linear positive correlation during WSA. Feelings of calmness, renewed energy, relaxation and good feeling were significantly increased during WSA.
Conclusion: The results suggest that warm-steam-aroma sheet is a useful material to set inside a mask to decreasing anxiety and increasing pleasant feelings.