Effects of aromatherapy on agitation in patients with dementia in the community: A quasi-experimental study

•This prospective cohort study was conducted at a single daycare center for patients with dementia, with 2-week and 4-week follow-ups, to compare the severity of agitation between 3 measurement points as the primary outcome.•The 4-week intervention of aromatherapy significantly reduced the total score and physically non-aggressive behavior subscale of the dementia-related agitation inventory.•At the end of the 4-week follow-up, there was a significant difference in the total agitation score and physically non-aggressive behavior subscale between the aromatherapy group and the control group.