The effect of lavender aromatherapy on the level of intraoperative anxiety in caesarean case under spinal anesthesia: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Preoperative anxiety can be reduced by aromatherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of lavender aromatherapy in reducing intraoperative anxiety in patients undergoing caesarean section (CS) under spinal anesthesia.

Methods: This study was two-armed and randomized controlled trial. A total of 96 patients who were scheduled for CS were randomly divided into two groups: the aromatherapy (A) group (n=48), comprising patients who were randomized to receive lavender aromatherapy with mask oxygen after the birth of the baby, and the control (C) group (n=48), comprising patients who inhaled carrier oil. During the preoperative period, baseline anxiety levels and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores were recorded using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I) scale. After birth, two drops of oil were inhaled in an oxygen mask for 5 min. After 5 min, the Ramsey Sedation Scale was evaluated, and patients with a score of 1 received 2 mg of intravenous midazolam for sedation. The STAI-I and VAS pain scores were re-evaluated at the third postoperative hour.

Results: The primary outcome was the significant reduction in the need for midazolam brought about by lavender aromatherapy, and the secondary outcomes included postoperative third-hour STAI-I scores, intraoperative complications and patient satisfaction.

Conclusion: The effectiveness of lavender aromatherapy, which reduced the need for intraoperative anxiolytics, can be offered as an alternative for pregnant women who undergo CS under spinal anesthesia.

Keywords: Anxiety; Aromatherapy; Lavandula; Sedative; Spinal anesthesia.