Aromatherapy massage seems effective in critically ill children: an observational before‐after study

Children treated in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) are at risk of distress and pain. This study investigated if aromatherapy massage can reduce children's distress and improve comfort. This observational before‐after study was performed in a 22‐bed PICU in Cape Town, South Africa. The aromatherapy massage consisted of soft massaging using the “M‐technique” and a 1% blend of essential oils of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), German Chamomile (Matricatia recutita) and Neroli (Citrus aurantium) mixed with a grapeseed carrier oil. All present children were eligible, except those who had recently returned, were asleep or deemed unstable. The primary outcome was distress measured with the COMFORT‐Behavior scale (COMFORT‐B). Secondary outcomes were heart rate, oxygen saturation (SatO(2)), the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)‐Anxiety and pain assessed by the NRS‐Pain scale. Outcomes variables were evaluated with Wilcoxon signed‐rank test and multiple regression analysis. The intervention was applied to 111 children, fifty‐one of whom (45.9%) were younger than three years old. The group median COMFORT‐B score before intervention was 15 (IQR 12–19), versus 10 (IQR 6–14) after intervention. Heart rate and NRS‐Anxiety were significantly lower after the intervention (P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that interrupted massages were less effective than the uninterrupted massages. Parental presence did not influence the outcome variables. We did not find a significant change on the NRS‐Pain scale or for SatO(2). Aromatherapy massage appears beneficial in reducing distress, as measured by the COMFORT‐B scale, heart rate and the NRS‐Anxiety scale, in critically ill children. Thus, the potential of aromatherapy in clinical practice deserves further consideration.