A prospective randomized study of the effectiveness of aromatherapy for relief of postoperative nausea and vomiting

Hodge NS, McCarthy MS, Pierce RM
Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, 2014


ABSTRACT:

INTRODUCTION:
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a major concern for patients having surgery under general anesthesia as it causes subjective distress along with increased complications and delays in discharge from the hospital. Aromatherapy represents a complementary and alternative therapy for the management of PONV.

PURPOSE:
The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of aromatherapy (QueaseEase, Soothing Scents, Inc, Enterprise, AL) versus an unscented inhalant in relieving PONV.

METHODS:
One hundred twenty-one patients with postoperative nausea were randomized into a treatment group receiving an aromatic inhaler and a control group receiving a placebo inhaler to evaluate the effectiveness of aromatherapy.

FINDINGS:
Initial and follow-up nausea assessment scores in both treatment and placebo groups decreased significantly (P < .01), and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P = .03). Perceived effectiveness of aromatherapy was significantly higher in the treatment group (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:
Aromatherapy was favorably received by most patients and represents an effective treatment option for postoperative nausea.

CITATION:

Hodge NS, McCarthy MS, Pierce RM. A prospective randomized study of the effectiveness of aromatherapy for relief of postoperative nausea and vomiting. J Perianesth Nurs. 2014;29(1):5-11.


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