Olapour A, Behaeen K, Akhondzadeh R, Soltani F, al Sadat Razavi F, Bekhradi R. The Effect of Inhalation of Aromatherapy Blend containing Lavender Essential Oil on Cesarean Postoperative Pain.
Anesth Pain Med 2013;
3:203-7. [PMID:
24223363 PMCID:
PMC3821145 DOI:
10.5812/aapm.9570]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2012] [Revised: 01/16/2013] [Accepted: 01/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Pain is a major problem in patients after cesarean and medication such as aromatherapy
which is a complementary therapy, in which the essences of the plants oils are used to
reduce such undesirable conditions.
Objectives
In this study, the effect of aromatherapy using Lavender (Lavandula) essential oil on
cesarean postoperative pain was assessed.
Materials and Methods
In a triple blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial study, 60 pregnant women who
were admitted to a general hospital for cesarean section, were divided randomly into two
groups. After cesarean, the Lavender group inhaled about 3 drops of 10% Lavender oil
essence and the placebo group inhaled 3 drops of placebo after the start of
postoperative pain, four, eight and 12 hours later, for 5 minutes from the 10 cm
distance. Patient's pain was measured by the VAS (Visual Analog Scale) score before and
after each intervention, and vital sign, complications and level of satisfaction of
every patient were recorded before and after aromatherapy.
Results
There was no statistically significant difference between groups in age, height,
weight, and time to the first analgesic requirement. Patients in the Lavender group had
less postoperative pain in four (P = 0.008), eight (P = 0.024) and 12 (P = 0.011) hours
after first medication than the placebo group. The decreased heart rate and patients'
level of satisfaction with analgesia were significantly higher in the Lavender group (P
= 0.001). In the placebo group, the use of diclofenac suppositories for complete
analgesia was also significantly higher than the Lavender group (P = 0.008).
Conclusions
The inhaled Lavender essence may be used as a part of the multidisciplinary treatment
of pain after cesarean section, but it is not recommended as the sole pain
management.
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