Is aromatherapy effective in obstetrics? A systematic review and meta-analysis

The Effectiveness of Neroli Essential Oil in Relieving Anxiety and Perceived Pain in Women during Labor: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Childbirth is a stressful and physically painful event in a woman’s life and aromatherapy is one of the most used non-pharmacological methods that is effective in reducing anxiety and perceived pain. This randomized controlled study aimed at determining the effect of neroli oil aromatherapy on anxiety and pain intensity perception in 88 women during labor, randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 44) or control group (n = 44). Anxiety and perceived pain were assessed through the visual analogue scale during the latent, early, and late active phases of labor. Data analyses included the t-test, Chi-square test, and repeated measures ANOVA. Perceived pain and anxiety in the group receiving aromatherapy were significantly lower than in the control group at all stages of labor (p < 0.05). Specifically, as the labor progressed, pain and anxiety increased in all participants, but the increase was milder in the experimental group than in the control group. The multiparas showed higher average anxiety scores, but not perceived pain, than the primiparas in all phases of labor (p < 0.05). Ultimately, neroli oil aromatherapy during labor can be used as an alternative tool to relieve anxiety and perceived pain in women during all stages of labor.

Rosa Damascena mill for treating adults' anxiety, depression, and stress: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Recent studies have reported conflicting findings on the antianxiety, antidepressant, and anti-stress properties of Rosa Damascena Mill (RDM). Therefore, the present systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted on the effects of RDM for treating anxiety, depression, and stress amongst adults. The online data sources of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ProQuest, and Scientific Information Database were searched from inception to June 30, 2021. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which examined the effects of RDM (in any form of administration) on adults' anxiety, depression, and stress, were included. A random-effects model was applied to pool the data, and a total of 32 publications were included. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that administration of RDM significantly reduced state anxiety (effect size [ES]: 24, standardized mean difference [SMD]: -1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.29, -1.20; p < .001), depression (ES: 7, SMD: -0.87, 95% CI: -1.47, -0.28; p = .004), and stress (ES: 4, SMD: -1.33, 95% CI: -1.98, -0.69; p < .001). However, the treatment had no significant effect on trait anxiety (ES: 6, weighted mean difference: -0.75, 95% CI: -1.93, 0.43; p = .214). The association between the total administration dosage and/or duration of RDM and the changes in state anxiety and depression was not dose-dependent. Most RCTs had a fair methodological quality based on the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Besides, the quality of evidence ranged from very low to moderate according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Hence, further high-quality RCTs are needed to draw reliable conclusions regarding the use of RDM for treating adults' anxiety, depression, and stress.