Comparing the Aromatherapeutic Effects of Orange and Lavender Essential Oils on Anxiety and Physiological Indicators in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography: A Clinical Trial Study

Abstract

Background: Anxiety is one of the common complications resulting from invasive diagnostic methods, especially coronary angiography. It affects physiological responses of the patient and jeopardizes his/her vital signs in the angiography suite. Aromatherapy has suggested to reduce anxiety. Objectives: In this regard, the present study aimed at comparing the effects of orange and lavandula (lavender) essential oils on anxiety and physiological parameters of patients undergoing coronary angiography. Methods: This clinical trial was performed on 101 patients undergoing coronary angiography who were admitted to the Fatemeh Al-Zahra Hospital in Sari, northern Iran in 2018. Convenience sampling was done and the subjects were randomly divided into three groups, including the control, lavender and orange groups. Data collection was done using a demographic and disease questionnaire, Spielberger's state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), a sheet to record physiological variations, a barometer and a second timer. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS 22 using chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, one-way ANOVA, paired t-test, Tukey's post-hoc test, Kruskal-Wallis test, paired Wilcoxon test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The results indicated a significant difference in the mean anxiety score between the lavender and control groups as well as the orange and control groups (P < 0.001); a significant difference was also observed between the orange and lavender groups after the intervention (P < 0.001). Furthermore, systolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiration rate decreased significantly in subjects exposed to the lavender and orange essential oils compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: According to the findings, orange and lavender aromatherapy could relieve anxiety in patients undergoing angiography. Accordingly, this intervention can be adopted as an effective measure in anxiety-ridden situations, like diagnostic procedures.

Effectiveness of aromatherapy inhalation on anxiety and haemodynamic variables for patients with cardiovascular disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…The total sample size of the 12 studies included in systematic reviews and meta‐analysis ranged from 60 to 101. Eleven studies 36‐39,57‐62 were conducted in Iran, and one study was performed in Turkey 41 . The studies were published between 2012 and 2020.…”

“…Six studies 39‐41,59,60,62 compared the effect of lavender inhalation on anxiety between intervention (n = 211) and control (n = 214) groups. The overall effect of lavender inhalation on anxiety was statistically significant ( P < .001, Hedge's g = 1.234, 95% CI: 0.682 to 1.787, 425 patients).…”

“…In the Bias because of deviations from intended interventions section, assessment was made with seven questions on the topics of participants’ awareness of their assigned intervention, the awareness of carers and people delivering the interventions, deviations from the intended intervention, and appropriate analysis. Eight studies were evaluated as some concern 39,41,57‐62 and four studies were evaluated as low risk 36‐38 . The section Risk of bias because of missing outcome was assessed with four questions.…”

“…In the included studies, lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) was used in six studies, [39][40][41]59,60,62 and in six other studies, [37][38][39]57,58 peppermint oil (Mentha piperita), 57 melissa oil (Melissa officinalis), 58 geranium oil (Pelargonium graveolens), 38 neroli oil (Citrus aurantium), 37 limon oil (Citrus limonum) 36 and orange oil (Citrus sinensis) 39 were used based on aromatherapy inhalation. Only one study used a combination of lavender, chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and neroli (Citrus aurantium) oils.…”

“…Eight studies were evaluated as some concern 39,41,[57][58][59][60][61][62] and four studies were evaluated as low risk. [36][37][38] The section Risk of bias because of missing outcome was assessed with four questions.…”