Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Stress before surgery was reduced by 60% using lavender inhalation and pain intensity was reduced by 32% during needle insertion.
Many people think of lavender as a pleasant fragrance added to soaps, shampoos, lotions and massage oils. But what if it also decreases stress, reduces the pain associated with needle insertion and helps during surgery? Recent research shows it does just that.
High levels of stress and anxiety before surgery have been found to increase anesthesia amounts and result in a longer recovery from anesthesia after surgery (2,3). Previous research has shown that lavender is beneficial in decreasing pain, as well as postoperative nausea and vomiting (4,5). Until recently, it was still unclear if lavender aromatherapy could provide sedative effects and reduce anxiety before surgery (1).
Thirty participants were randomly assigned to two groups. The participants in the lavender group (n=15) received an oxygen face mask coated with lavender oil for 5 minutes in pre-operative care (100% lavender oil diluted to 2% with jojoba oil] applied via cotton swab to inside of face mask). The control group (n=15) received oxygen through a face mask without lavender oil for 5 minutes in pre-operative care (1). A study-blinded anesthesiologist, meaning he did not know who received lavender treatment, evaluated stress levels, level of consciousness during sedation and pain level of needle insertion (1).
The bispectral index (BIS) was used to assess level of consciousness during sedation. The BIS is an electroencephalogram (EEG) that measures electrical activity of the brain via sensors placed on the head. The BIS values at 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes after lavender inhalation were lower than the control group (p<0.001). There were no significant changes in the BIS value after 25 minutes in either group. This indicates the sedative effects of lavender aromatherapy might last about 20 minutes (1).
The stress level and pain intensity of needle insertion at baseline were similar between the two groups. The stress values significantly decreased in the lavender group after aromatherapy (stress scored on a scale of 0-10; baseline value 5/10, after lavender 2/10; p<0.001). Pain intensity during needle insertion also decreased in the lavender group (scored on scale of 0-10; baseline 5.5/10, after lavender 3.75/10; p<0.001). There were no significant changes in the control group (1).
In conclusion, lavender inhalation was associated with decreased stress levels, reduced pain intensity with needle insertion and decreased BIS values indicating sedative effects of lavender aromatherapy. The use of lavender essential oil offers a safe, simple, low-risk, cost effective intervention (1). Future studies with more participants and to establish the value of aromatherapy before surgery are still needed (1).
Source: Kim, Sioh, et al. “The effect of lavender oil on stress, bispectral index values, and needle insertion pain in volunteers.” The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 17.9 (2011): 823-826.
© Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
Posted December 5, 2011.
References:
- Kim e, et al. The Effect of Lavender Oil on Stress, Bispectral Index Values, and Needle Insertion Pain in Volunteers. J Alt & Comp Med. 2011; 17: 823-826.
- Maranets I, Kain ZN. Preoperative anxiety and intraoperative anesthetic requirements. Anesth Analg 1999; 89: 1346-51.
- White PF. Pharmacologic and clinical aspects of preoperative medication. Anesth Analg 1986; 65: 963-74.
- Him JT, et al. Treatment with lavender aromatherapy in the post-anesthesia care unit reduces opioid requirements in morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Obes Surg 2007; 17: 920-25.
- Chiravalle P, McCaffrey R. Alternative therapy applications for postoperative nausea and vomiting. Holist Nurs Pract 2005; 19: 207-210/.
