Effect of Aroma Therapy on the Anxiety, Blood Pressure and Pulse of Uterine Leiomyoma Patients before Surgery

Oh, Jina; Kim, Hyun Jin; Park, Jung Hyun

Abstract

PURPOSE: The study was performed to evaluate effects of aroma therapy on the anxiety, blood pressure and pulse of uterine leiomyoma patients before surgery and to apply it as the actual nursing intervention. METHOD: From Aug. 1st to Nov. 30th, 2007, the experimental group (n=30) and the control group (n=30) were selected in 1 hospital, Busan. Lavender and Bergamot oil mixed together at a 3:2 ratio was applied to the experimental group two times at 8-9 pm the day before surgery and twice 30 minutes before the surgery. Anxiety, VAS, blood pressure, and pulse were measured to evaluate the effects of aroma therapy. The data analysis was done using the SPSS/PC 12.0 program using chi-square test and t-test.
RESULTS
Hypothesis 1 was supported. The VAS of the experimental group was lower than control group after aroma therapy. Hypothesis 2 was partly supported. The systolic blood pressure and pulse of experimental group was significantly decreased, but diastolic blood pressure wasn't difference. The VAS, systolic blood pressure and pulse of control group were increased.
CONCLUSION
The study verified that the aroma therapy is a very effective nursing intervention that can reduce anxiety before surgery. It is recommended to apply aroma therapy actively to patients experiencing anxiety before surgery procedure.