Effects of the aroma of lemone verbena (Aloysia citriodora Paláu) essential oil on anxiety and the hemodynamic profile before cesarean section: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Aromatherapy is a noninvasive method used for alleviating anxiety. Lemon verbena (Aloysia citriodora Paláu, LV) has been frequently used in traditional medicine as an anxiolytic agent due to its pharmacological ingredients. OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the effects of inhaling essential oil of LV on the level of anxiety and subsequent hemodynamic changes before cesarean section. METHODS: The recent study was a randomized single‐blind trial. Participants (n = 84) were randomly divided into two groups: LV essential oil (group A) and placebo (group B). The intervention group underwent aromatherapy using three drops of LV essential oil at a distance of 10 cm for 30 min. The placebo group received aromatherapy in a similar fashion. The State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory of Spielberger questionnaire was administered before and 5 min after aroma inhalation. Vital signs were recorded before and after aromatherapy. Likewise, pain severity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale and vital signs were recorded. Data were analyzed using t‐test, χ (2), and the Kolmogrov–Smirnov test through SPSS21 software. RESULTS: Anxiety level was significantly attenuated in group A after aromatherapy. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure decreased after inhalation; but no significant variation of pain scores was observed after inhalation in both groups. CONCLUSION: We concluded that LV decreased preoperative anxiety in this recent study, therefore, aromatherapy with LV essential oil as a preemptive adjuvant to relieve anxiety before cesarean section is recommended by us; although more studies are required to endorse the results.