Aromatherapy massage seems effective in critically ill children: an observational before-after study

Area of Science:

• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Pediatric Critical Care
• Nursing Research

Background:

• Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients experience significant distress and pain.
• Non-pharmacological interventions are crucial for managing discomfort in critically ill children.
• Aromatherapy massage is a potential complementary therapy for pediatric patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of aromatherapy massage in reducing distress and improving comfort in children admitted to a PICU.
• To assess the impact of aromatherapy massage on physiological parameters like heart rate and oxygen saturation.
• To evaluate the effect on anxiety and pain levels using validated scales.

Main Methods:

• An observational before-and-after study conducted in a 22-bed PICU in Cape Town, South Africa.
• Aromatherapy massage involved the "M-technique" with a 1% blend of Lavender, German Chamomile, and Neroli essential oils.
• Outcomes measured included the COMFORT-Behavior scale (COMFORT-B), heart rate, oxygen saturation, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)-Anxiety, and NRS-Pain.

Main Results:

• Aromatherapy massage significantly reduced COMFORT-B scores (median 15 to 10) and NRS-Anxiety scores (P < 0.001).
• Heart rate also significantly decreased post-intervention (P < 0.001).
• No significant changes were observed in NRS-Pain scores or oxygen saturation (SatO2). Interrupted massages were less effective.

Conclusions:

• Aromatherapy massage is a beneficial intervention for reducing distress and anxiety in critically ill children in the PICU.
• The findings support the consideration of aromatherapy as a valuable complementary therapy in pediatric clinical practice.
• Further research is warranted to explore the full potential and optimal application of aromatherapy in pediatric critical care settings.