ACCESSIBLE AROMATHERAPY WORKSHOP

An aromatherapy workshop for people with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD) has been carried out as a service learning activity involving Pharmacy Degree students. It was developed within the Phytotherapy subject for last year students on this degree. It is well known that essential oils promote health and well-being, also acting as sensory stimulants. In the activity, people with IDD smelt and tested different essential oils while Pharmacy students registered their emotions in relation with them. Pictograms were used as an effective way of communication among the different participants. Despite being people with IDD, most of them were able to identify the origin of the essential oils and learnt about this science in a new atmosphere, the university. Particularly, orange essential oil was easily identified by all of them (n=18). In relation with memories, many participants with IDD recalled sweet desserts when smelling cinnamon essential oil. Lastly, participants with IDD also prepared a body massage oil for self-care mixing a vegetable oil (almond oil) with a selected scent (preferred essential oil). Besides, Pharmacy students had the opportunity to interact with different profiles of patients at the same time that practiced their knowledge about Aromatherapy. They specially highlighted their training for their future profession and that it was a satisfactory personal experience.