Lavender Aromatherapy Reduces Anxiety in Surgery Patients

Lavender aromatherapy reduces preoperative anxiety in ambulatory surgery patients who are undergoing procedures in general otolaryngology.

Lavender aromatherapy was found to reduce preoperative anxiety, a common reaction experienced by ambulatory surgery patients undergoing procedures in general otolaryngology, reveals a new study.

The effect observed in the Laryngoscope //Investigative Otolaryngology study was modest, however.

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‘Preoperative anxiety increases with increased use of narcotics and anesthetics, and prolonged stay at the hospital.’

In the 100-patient study, the experimental group received inhalation lavender aromatherapy in the preoperative waiting area while the control group received standard nursing care.

Both groups reported their anxiety with a visual analog scale upon arriving to the preoperative waiting area and upon departure to the operating room.

"Preoperative anxiety is associated with increased use of narcotics and anesthetics, prolonged duration of hospitalization, and reduced ability to fight infection and comprehend information about surgery," said senior author Ashutosh Kacker, MD of New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical College.

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"Given the simplicity, safety, and cost-effectiveness of aromatherapy, healthcare providers should consider its use for managing this common problem."

Benefits Of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy, the treatment using scents, is one of the fastest growing fields in alternative medicine. It is a holistic treatment of caring for the body with pleasant smelling botanical oils.

Source-Eurekalert

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