The comparison of the impact of lavender and Valerian aromatherapy on reduction of the active phase among Nulliparous women: A double blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract

One of the important points in health care of nulliparous women is reduced pain, anxiety coping and reduced delivery time. Aromatherapy is one of the effective non-pharmacological methods. The present study is aimed to evaluate the impact of lavender and Valerian aromatherapy on reduction of active phase among nulliparous women. A double blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on 141 nulliparous women. The subjects were assigned using randomized blocking to three groups of Lavender, Valerian and placebo. Lavender group inhaled lavender essence with concentration 1.5% with olive oil, valerian group inhaled valerian essence with concentration 1.5% with olive oil and placebo group inhaled olive oil each hour for 10 minutes. There was no statistically significant difference between three groups in terms of individual, social and midwifery characteristics ( mother-child) ( P> 0.05). There was a significant difference in the mean of active phase of delivery in three groups ( P< 0.001). Valerian group had significantly the lowest active phase ( P< 0.001). The active phase duration of lavender was significantly lower than that of placebo group ( P< 0.003) The results showed that apgar of the infant at the first and fifth minutes, the age mean and weight were similar in three groups ( P> 0.05). Lavender and valerian aromatherapy reduced active phase duration among nulliparous women and this reduction was higher in valerian than that of lavender.