The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy Interventions in Preoperative Patients with Benign Gynecological Diseases

Abstract

Objective：The study aimed to examine the physiological and psychological effects of aromatherapy performed as a nursing intervention on the day before surgery on patients with benign gynecological diseases.

Methods：The study involved a total of 30 patients （10 patients/group）. For Group EM, aromatherapy was performed as a nursing intervention using the M technique^Ⓡ and applying a sweet orange essential oil diluted for touching. For Group M, aromatherapy was performed as a nursing intervention using the M technique^Ⓡ and applying only a carrier oil. Group C, which was the control group, received regular nursing care. The salivary amylase level, blood pressure, heart rate, and POMS were measured for each patient in each group before and after the intervention.

Results：No significant differences were noted among the intervention groups in blood pressure, heart rate, or salivary amylase level as physiological indicators. Differences were noted among the three groups in the salivary amylase level as an indicator of existing stress level. The POMS, used as a psychological indicator, tended to be lower in Group EM than in Group C in the category of fatigue.

Discussion：The physiological indicators showed that intervention using the M technique^Ⓡ can be safely conducted. In addition, the intervention tended to show fatigue- and stress-reducing effects in Group EM. Thus, considering that the intervention requires a clinically feasible time frame, the study suggests that it would be meaningful to perform aromatherapy as a nursing intervention on the day before surgery on patients with benign gynecological diseases.