The effect of aromatherapy with Citrus Aurantium essential oil on depression, stress and anxiety in pregnant women; a randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Objective: Many women experience high stress, anxiety or depression during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of aromatherapy with Citrus Aurantium essential oil on depression, stress and anxiety in pregnant women. Materials and methods: This randomized clinical trial included 68 pregnant women who were randomly assigned to either the intervention group where they received five drops of Citrus Aurantium essential oil or the control group where they received odorless sweet almond oil, both twice a day for one month in the form of facemasks which they inhaled through normal breathing for 20 min. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale–21 Items (DASS-21) were administered pre-and post-intervention. Data analysis was performed within SPSS software (version 24). P-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean gestational age was 29.30 ± 2.14 weeks in the control group and 28.43 ± 1.95 weeks in the intervention group (p = 0.089). In bi-variable analysis, the intervention significantly improved all depression, anxiety and stress scores. Depression scores significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the placebo group (−4.80 ± 6.22 vs. 1.03 ± 5.90) (p < 0.001). Similarly, anxiety scores were reduced after the intervention (−3.37 ± 3.52 vs. 0.79 ± 4.39) (p < 0.001). Although stress scores improved more in the intervention group compared to placebo group (−3.77 ± 4.94 vs. 1.39 ± 4.99), the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.166). However, a more sophisticated analysis revealed that the intervention had a significant effect on depression (p = 0.001) and anxiety (p < 0.001) but not on stress (p = 0.166). Conclusion: Aromatherapy with Citrus Aurantium essential oil is effective and safe in reducing depression and anxiety in pregnant women. However, further research is needed to clarify its impact on stress reduction. Trial Registration Number: IRCT20200512047414N1.

Keywords

• Anxiety
• Aromatherapy
• Citrus aurantium
• Depression
• Pregnancy
• Stress