Effect of aromatherapy on anxiety and pain in patients undergoing cholecystectomy

Abstract

Background and aims: Aromatherapy means application of concentrated essences from different types of plants (such as flowers) for treatment of different types of diseases. Aromatherapy works for stress, anxiety, psychosomatic problems, muscular and rheumatic pains, gastrointestinal problems, menopause and postpartum depression. The present study aimed to study the effect of aromatherapy on anxiety and pain in patients undergoing cholecystectomy. Methods: This is a single-blinded clinical trial study which was conducted with participation of 60 patients undergoing cholecystectomy in Sina Treatment Center, Tabriz, Iran in 2012-2013. The patients were randomly assigned using table of random numbers. In intervention group, the patients inhaled 10 drops of rose water with 12% concentration for three minutes 8 and 16 hours after surgery. For control group, routine care continued in the ward. The data were analyzed by SPSS using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's test). Results: Comparison of changes in pain and anxiety scores between the two group indicated that the developed changes in pain and anxiety level (mean relief of pain and anxiety 8 and 16 hours after surgery) in the aromatherapy group was significantly different from the control group (P<0.001) and the level of relief of pain and anxiety was higher in aromatherapy group than the control group 8 and 16 hours after surgery (P<0.001). Conclusion: The findings indicated the positive effect of rose water-mediated aromatherapy on relief of pain and anxiety in patients 8 and 16 hours after surgery. Aromatherapy could be used as a cheap, noninvasive, complication-free, and non-pharmacologic nursing care.