Aromatherapy for reducing colonoscopy related procedural anxiety and physiological parameters: a randomized...

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Complementary Medicine
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Colonoscopy can be unpleasant and painful, with limited benefits from sedation and analgesia.
• Aromatherapy is used in gastrointestinal endoscopy to reduce anxiety, but specific data for colonoscopy is lacking.
• This study investigates aromatherapy's effects on anxiety, stress, and physiological parameters during colonoscopy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of Neroli oil aromatherapy in reducing anxiety, stress, and improving physiological parameters during colonoscopy.
• To assess the impact of aromatherapy on patient experience, including pain perception.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 27 participants (13 control, 14 Neroli oil group).
• Aromatherapy administered via inhalation (Sunflower oil for control, Neroli oil for experimental).
• Anxiety assessed using State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-state (STAI-S), pain using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and physiological parameters (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate) measured pre- and post-aromatherapy.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in procedural anxiety (STAI-S) or pain (VAS) between the Neroli and control groups.
• The Neroli oil group exhibited significantly lower pre- and post-procedural systolic blood pressure compared to the control group.
• No significant differences were observed in diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, or respiratory rate.

Conclusions:

• Aromatherapy, specifically Neroli oil, is a safe, inexpensive, and effective pre-procedural technique for colonoscopy.
• While not significantly impacting anxiety or pain, Neroli oil aromatherapy can help decrease systolic blood pressure.
• Aromatic care presents a viable complementary approach to enhance patient management during colonoscopy.