Aromatherapy Experiences of Intensive Care Nurses Regarding Sleep and Fatigue: A Phenomenological Study

Critical care nurses frequently experience fatigue and sleep problems. Some nurses have used aromatherapy as a complementary approach to cope with these challenges.

This study aimed to examine the personal experiences of intensive care nurses regarding the use of aromatherapy for sleep and fatigue.

A qualitative phenomenological approach was adopted, using purposive sampling. Ten intensive care nurses working in a Level 3 intensive care unit who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate were interviewed individually. Firsthand experiences with aromatherapy were explored in depth to obtain detailed data. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview form. With participants' consent, identifiers were anonymized and coded as 'P1, P2, P3'. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and codes were derived directly from the participants' narratives. These codes were organised into categories and then grouped into overarching themes, which were analysed using inductive content analysis.

The central theme was 'Personal Aromatherapy Experiences of Intensive Care Nurses and Their Perceptions and Impacts of Fatigue and Sleep Problems'. Within this theme, intensive care nurses shared their personal aromatherapy experiences and their perceptions of fatigue and sleep problems. Based on their personal experiences, nurses identified several factors contributing to sleep and fatigue problems, including irregular diet, 24-h shift schedules, education, alternate-day care, long working hours, family life, burnout, chronic illness, irregular sleep patterns, the debilitating nature of disease, night shifts and the intensive care environment. To address these issues, nurses reported using various aromatherapy oils, such as lavender, chamomile, orange, lemon, eucalyptus, jasmine, rose and violet. They indicated that aromatherapy increased energy, promoted relaxation, reduced pain, stress and fatigue, and facilitated falling asleep, highlighting its positive effects on their well-being and work-life balance.

Interviewed intensive care nurses reported that aromatherapy helped them cope with fatigue and sleep difficulties and supported their well-being in high-risk work environments.

Aromatherapy may offer a supportive coping mechanism for fatigue and sleep disturbances among intensive care nurses. Randomised controlled trials with evidence-based data on this topic can be planned. Therefore, nurses in healthcare institutions can be supported with evidence-based strategies, improvements in working conditions and training in aromatherapy applications in intensive care units.