Abdominal Surgical Patients Randomized to Aromatherapy for Pain Management

Purpose: Evaluate aromatherapy for postoperative abdominal pain in hospitalized patients.

Design: A randomized controlled trial design.

Methods: Study participants (n = 172) were randomized to receive either standard care or standard care and aromatherapy (AT) for postsurgical pain up to 24 hours after admission to a nonintensive care surgical unit. A convenience sample was recruited before surgery and given instructions on self-rating pain intensity. The AT group was topically administered a drop of lavender essential oil after medication and at random for pain. Pain scores and medications data were collected.

Findings: Of the evaluable patients (n = 147), demographic data were similar (standard care and AT groups). The use of aromatherapy showed no substantial benefit at improving pain scores or reducing medication use (the primary objectives of the study). A subgroup analysis of patients who received a regional nerve block for pain management, however, showed more than fivefold improvement in pain scores after the use of aromatherapy. The AT group used more medications at baseline (P = .032), whereas 70% less medications were used (P = .031) by 24 hours.

Conclusions: Aromatherapy aided in control of pain intensity for abdominal surgical patients. In patients who received a regional nerve block, significant improvement in pain level occurred as effects of the block diminished.