Exploring Lavender Aromatherapy in Reducing Math Anxiety to Improve Test Scores in Solving Math Problems

Abstract

This study determined the effect of aromatherapy using lavender oil in reducing
math anxiety before and during math problem solving activity among Grade 11
students. The experimental group was confined in an air-conditioned room with
three pieces of aroma humidifier to centralize the effect of lavender oil placed in
strategic airflow ends. The experimental group was exposed in an hour inside the
classroom during their math problem solving activity. The control group was given
the same math problems simultaneously without lavender aromatherapy in a
separate ventilated room. The 30 item Math Anxiety Scale was pilot tested among
178 students with a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.89. The mean on the level of math
anxiety of the experimental group before the treatment is relatively higher
(MD=3.92174) than the level of their math anxiety after the treatment (MD=2.565).
The result revealed that lavender aromatherapy has a significant effect (p-.001) in
reducing math anxiety. It may also help the students to perform better in other
related subjects causing them anxiety.