Comparing the Effects of Aromatherapy Massage, with the Effects of Inhalation Aromatherapy on Anxiety and Pain in Burns Patients: A Single-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Anxiety and pain are recognized as major problems for burns patients; since pharmaceutical treatments for controlling anxiety and pain symptoms lead to complications and an increase in health costs, non-pharmacological nursing interventions were considered for this group of patients. This led to the present study aimed at comparing the effect of aromatherapy massage with inhalation aromatherapy for anxiety and pain in burns patients. Methods and materials: This single-blind clinical trial was carried out on 90 patients with burns less than 20 percent. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups, namely: aromatherapy massage, inhalation aromatherapy, and a control group. The patients assigned to the aromatherapy massage group received a massage for half an hour using a blend of lavender and almond oils, while a blend of rose and lavender aroma was used for the inhalation aromatherapy group. Spiel Berger State Anxiety Inventory was used for measuring of anxiety and the VAS scale was used for measuring of pain. Results: The results showed that three groups were equal in terms of demographics, disease characteristics and scores of anxiety and pain at the baseline. The mean decrease of anxiety scores were -0.04±5.08, 6.33±12.55 and 6.43±10.60 in control group, aromatherapy massage group and inhalation group, respectively (P=0.007). The mean decrease of pain scores were -0.10±0.96, 1.70±1.84 and 0.97±1.56 in control group, aromatherapy massage group and inhalation group, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusion: The study results showed the positive effect of aromatherapy massage and inhalation aromatherapy as compared with the control group in reducing both the anxiety and pain of burns patients. Therefore, both interventions, which are inexpensive and non-invasive nursing tasks, can be proposed for alleviating anxiety and pain for burns patients.