The effect of aromatherapy using Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Miller) and Citrus aurantium L. extracts to treat anxiety of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized clinical trial in Iran

Introduction: Nowadays, complementary medicine such as aromatherapy has an important application in medicine, particularly in treating anxiety. The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of aromatherapy using lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Miller) and Citrus aurantium L. extracts on the anxiety level of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Training Hospital in Iran. Methods: This Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) was carried out in 2017 on a total of 90 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy using aromatherapy. The subjects were randomly assigned to 3 groups based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria using sampling methods based on the goals. Two groups received either aromatherapy with Lavandula angustifolia Miller extract, aromatherapy with Citrus aurantium L. extract. The third group (control) received a placebo (odorless oil). The aromatherapy was performed on all subjects for 20 minutes. Patient anxiety was assessed using a Spielberg questionnaire before and after applying the aromatherapy intervention. The data obtained were analyzed by SPSS software via Chi-square test, one-tailed variance analysis, Tukey, t-tests, Results: State and trait anxiety decreased for the aromatherapy groups, compared to control group, after applying the aromatherapy (P<0.001); moreover, there was an increased severity of anxiety in the control group (P<0.05). Indeed, the effects of aromatherapy with Lavandula angustifolia Miller and Citrus aurantium L. extracts were observed and confirmed; both extracts significantly decreased the severity of anxiety in the trial groups as compared to the control group (P<0.001). Moreover, the effect of aromatherapy with both of the aforementioned extracts was similar to each other. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Miller) and Citrus aurantium L. extracts in aromatherapy; therefore, either extract may be applied and useful in the clinic to alleviate preoperative anxiety.