The Effect of Inhaler Aromatherapy on Pain and Anxiety in Patients undergoing Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of inhaler aromatherapy on pain and anxiety during the shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) protocol. Material and Methods: This placebo-controlled prospective double-blind study included 120 patients who were scheduled to undergo SWL. Patients were randomly assigned a control placebo group 1 (n=40), the lavender group 2 (n=40), and the frankincense group 3 (n=40). The nebulizer (a rate of 2%) was prepared and operated on in the SWL room before the procedure. Data were collected using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI-I). Results: Of the 120 patients included in the study, 67 (55.8%) were male and 53 (44.2%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 37.38±11.35 years. The mean stone size was 11.07±3.09 mm. There were no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of VAS scores of the patients after the procedure (p=0.557). While there was no statistically significant change in the STAI-I score in group 1 and group 2 after the procedure compared to the pre-procedure, a statistically significant decrease was detected in group 3 (p=0.030). The percentages of patients with changing STAI-I scores were compared, it was observed that the decrease in STAI-I score in group 2 and group 3 at a higher rate compared to group 1 (p=0.018). Conclusion: Frankincense reduced anxiety more significantly than lavender. Both had no significant effect on pain. Inhaler aromatherapy can be used in the SWL process to reduce anxiety and improve treatment compliance.

Keywords

• aromatherapy
• swl
• lavender
• frankincence
• anxiety
• pain
• aromaterapi
• swl
• lavanta
• günlük yağı
• kaygı
• ağrı