Lavender Aromatherapy as a Nurse-Driven Intervention for Preoperative Anxiety

To explore potential clinical applications, based on evidence and a nurse-driven test of change, of using lavender aromatherapy for preoperative anxiety as an intervention complementary to standard preoperative care.

A pre- versus postaromatherapy comparison using a visual analog scale (VAS).

The preoperative department at a level 2 trauma hospital with 544 beds.

Forty-four surgical patients, including 29 female participants and 15 male participants.

Participants reported their anxiety on a VAS before receiving a lavender aromatherapy inhaler. Anxiety scores were measured again after receiving the lavender aromatherapy and shortly before participants left the preoperative area for surgery. A pre-post comparison of the two VAS anxiety measurements before and after receiving the lavender aromatherapy was completed, analyzed, and is discussed.

Mean anxiety scores were calculated for the pre- and postaromatherapy groups. Forty-eight percent of female participants (n = 29) reported a decrease in their anxiety after receiving preoperative lavender aromatherapy. Female participants reported higher preoperative anxiety scores and a larger decrease in their mean anxiety scores after receiving lavender aromatherapy when compared to male participants.

The use of a nurse-driven complementary intervention in the preoperative area was associated with a decrease in mean anxiety scores among female patients about to undergo elective surgery. However, cause and effect cannot be determined because of a lack of a control group and randomization. Opportunities exist with support from seasoned staff for nurses to incorporate safe, evidence-based complementary interventions into the current standard of care for preoperative anxiety.