Comparison of the effect of Citrus arantium and Salvia officinalis aroma on post-cesarean section pain

Abstract

Introduction: Post-cesarean pain relief in an effective way without danger so that not to disturb mother’s ability to take care of her child is required. Post-cesarean pain is associated with reduced resistance against infections, increased use of analgesics and delayed wound healing. This study was performed with aim to compare the effect of Citrus arantium and Salvia officinalis aroma on post-cesarean section pain. Methods: This three-group randomized clinical trial was performed on 120 pregnant women who had referred to Kermanshah Motazedi Hospital for cesarean in 2014. Aromatherapy with 3 drops of essence was fulfilled on two intervention groups immediately after the onset of pain, 4, 8 and 12 hours after it. Aromatherapy using normal saline was fulfilled on the control group in the same way. Severity of pain was evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale before and half an hour after each four interventions. Data was analyzed using SPSS software (version 18) and Chi-square, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman and Mann Whitney tests. PResults: Mean of pain severity before the intervention was not significantly different between the three groups (P=0.15). After the intervention, mean of pain in the intervention groups of Citrus arantium and Salvia officinalis was significantly reduced in the first, second, third and fourth stage of intervention compared with control group (P<0.001). Also, in each four stage of the intervention, mean of pain severity was not significantly different between Citrus arantium aroma and Salvia officinalis aroma groups and both had similar effects on relief of post-cesarean section pain. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between Citrus arantium aroma and Salvia officinalis aroma groups in reducing post-cesarean section pain, therefore, the use of both aromas is recommended as simple, noninvasive and inexpensive technique to reduce post-cesarean pain.

Keywords

• aroma
• cesarean section
• citrus aurantium
• pain
• salvia officinalis