J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2011 Feb;18(1):63-70.

Effects of Aroma Inhalation Therapy on Pain in Patients Following a Tonsillectomy

• Lim EJ
• Lee KY

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was done to examine the effects of aroma inhalation therapy on pain post tonsillectomy. METHOD: A non-equivalent control group pre- and post-test design was used. The research instruments used in this study were a pain perception measurement and vital signs (systolic & diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate levels). Twenty-five patients in the experimental group went through aroma inhalation therapy for ten minutes after the tonsillectomy. The aroma inhalation therapy used was a blended oil, a mixture of Lavender and Loman chamomile in the ratio of 2:1. The 25 patients in the control group did not receive the therapy. Before and after the experiment, both groups were tested for pain (pain perception and vital signs). Collected data were processed with the SPSS WIN. Ver. 14.0 program and analyzed using frequencies, percentages, chi2-test, Fisher's exact test, t-test and ANCOVA.
RESULTS
Pain perception of patients was not significantly reduced. However systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate were significantly reduced.
CONCLUSION
The results of the study indicate that aroma inhalation is a partially effective nursing intervention to reduce the post-operative tonsillectomy pain.

Keyword

Aromatherapy; Tonsillectomy; Pain

MeSH Terms

Aromatherapy
Blood Pressure
Chamomile
Heart Rate
Humans
Inhalation
Lavandula
Pain Perception
Respiratory Therapy
Tonsillectomy
Vital Signs