Evaluation of Aromatherapy in Treating Postoperative Pain: Pilot Study

Authors: Kim, Jung T.; Wajda, Michael¹; Cuff, Germaine¹; Serota, David¹; Schlame, Michael¹; Axelrod, Deborah M.²; Guth, Amber A.²; Bekker, Alex Y.¹

Source: Pain Practice, Volume 6, Number 4, December 2006 , pp. 273-277(5)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $48.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

This study compared the analgesic efficacy of postoperative lavender oil aromatherapy in 50 patients undergoing breast biopsy surgery. Twenty-five patients received supplemental oxygen through a face mask with two drops of 2% lavender oil postoperatively. The remainder of the patients received supplemental oxygen through a face mask with no lavender oil. Outcome variables included pain scores (a numeric rating scale from 0 to 10) at 5, 30, and 60 minutes postoperatively, narcotic requirements in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), patient satisfaction with pain control, as well as time to discharge from the PACU. There were no significant differences in narcotic requirements and recovery room discharge times between the two groups. Postoperative lavender oil aromatherapy did not significantly affect pain scores. However, patients in the lavender group reported a higher satisfaction rate with pain control than patients in the control group (P = 0.0001).

Keywords: lavender oil; patient satisfaction; postoperative pain

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-2500.2006.00095.x

Affiliations: 1: Departments of Anesthesiology and 2: Surgery, New York University Medical Center, New York, U.S.A.

Publication date: 2006-12-01