1. To analyze the therapeutic effects of lavender aromatherapy on memory function and overall cognitive function in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI); 2. To analyze whether lavender aromatherapy improves executive function, language ability, attention, visuospatial ability, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and sleep in older adults with MCI.
The MCI mentioned in this study meets the diagnostic criteria proposed by the *Chinese Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease-Derived Mild Cognitive Impairment (2021)*: cognitive impairment reported by the patient or an informant, or identified by an experienced clinician; objective evidence of impairment in one or more cognitive domains, with episodic memory impairment being the most common; complex instrumental activities of daily living may be mildly impaired, but the ability to perform basic activities of daily living remains independent; the diagnostic criteria for dementia are not met.
MoCA-Beijing version scores were adjusted for education level: ≤13 for junior high school education or below, ≤19 for high school education, and ≤24 for university education or above; MMSE score >24; ADL score <23.
Age between 60 and 79 years.
Normal olfactory function assessed using the "Sniffin' Sticks" test.
Presence of other conditions known to affect cognitive function, such as psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, depression).
History of asthma or any allergic conditions.
Use of any prescription medications that may impact cognitive function (including psychotropic drugs and others)