The effect of lavender oil on anxiety before endoscopy in children: A randomized controlled trial

Ayla İrem Aydın1, Doğukan Reis2, Hanife Ayşegül Arsoy3

  • 1Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa Uludağ University Campus, Health Science Faculty, 16059 Görükle, Nilüfer, Bursa, Türkiye.

PubMed

Insights

Lavender oil inhalation effectively reduced state anxiety in children before endoscopy. This aromatherapy method offers a safe way to manage pre-procedural anxiety in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine
  • Anxiety Research

Background:

  • Endoscopic procedures can induce significant anxiety in children.
  • Non-pharmacological interventions are sought to manage pre-procedural anxiety.
  • Aromatherapy, specifically lavender oil, has shown potential anxiolytic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of lavender oil inhalation in reducing anxiety among children undergoing endoscopy.
  • To compare anxiety levels in children receiving lavender oil versus placebo or no intervention.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 66 children aged 9-12 years undergoing endoscopy.
  • Participants were divided into three groups: lavender oil intervention, placebo, and control.
  • Anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) scale.

Main Results:

  • No statistically significant difference was observed in trait anxiety scores among the groups.
  • Children in the lavender oil intervention group exhibited significantly lower state anxiety scores compared to the control groups.
  • Lavender oil inhalation demonstrated a positive impact on immediate pre-procedural anxiety.

Conclusions:

  • Lavender oil inhalation is an effective method for reducing pre-procedural anxiety in pediatric patients.
  • Healthcare providers can integrate lavender oil aromatherapy into clinical practice to alleviate anxiety in children.
  • This study supports the use of lavender oil as a safe and accessible intervention in pediatric healthcare settings.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone01:29

Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone

Benzodiazepines are a class of anxiolytic drugs known for their rapid efficacy and high therapeutic-to-lethal dose ratio, but with a potential risk of drug dependence. These drugs are lipophilic, allowing for rapid absorption after oral administration, eventually reaching the central nervous system (CNS). Once in the CNS, benzodiazepines bind to the allosteric site of the GABAA receptor. This binding enhances the inhibitory effects of the neurotransmitter GABA. By doing so, they prevent...
319
Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview01:26

Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview

Anxiolytic drugs are vital in managing anxiety disorders by effectively alleviating symptoms such as excessive fear, tachycardia, and tremors. There are several classes of anxiolytic medications, each with unique mechanisms of action and potential side effects.
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic...
170
Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy01:26

Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy

Sigmoidoscopy and laparoscopy are distinct medical procedures that enable physicians to internally inspect different parts of the GI tract. Although they serve different purposes, each is essential for diagnosing and, in some cases, treating various medical conditions.
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
29
Stages of General Anesthesia01:22

Stages of General Anesthesia

Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...
290
Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects01:12

Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects

While local anesthetics are generally safe and well-tolerated, they can occasionally cause adverse effects that vary in severity. Local anesthetics can induce toxicity at two distinct levels. They can either produce local effects through direct contact with the neural elements or be absorbed into the bloodstream from the injection site, leading to systemic effects.
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
370