Effect of Aromatherapy on Cognitive Test Anxiety Among Nursing Students

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effect of aromatherapy (Citrus limon [lemon] essential oil) on cognitive test anxiety among nursing students, Cognitive Test Anxiety Survey (CTAS) scores were measured pre- and postintervention. Participants: Thirty-nine (39) sophomore nursing students(35 female and 4 male) from a private, 4-year college participated in this study. Materials and Methods: A quantitative, randomized, pretest–posttest design was used. One nursing examination was used for baseline data and all participants were e-mailed the CTAS. The experimental group completed the second examination in a room with diffused aromatherapy, and the contro lgroup remained in a classroom without aromatherapy. The CTAS was e-mailed for comparison data. Results: There were no significant differences between the control and study groups in relation to preintervention cognitive anxiety scores (mean [M] = 78.17 and M = 73.62), respectively .In the control group, there was a 3-point decrease in cognitive test anxiety scores between pretest and post-test. However, there was a significant decrease in cognitive test anxiety scores in the students who received aromatherapy compared to those who did not (P = 0.10). Age and gender were not moderating variables in this study. Conclusions: Diffused lemon essential oil is a safe, costeffective intervention that had a positive effect on cognitive test anxiety among nursing students.