Effect of Lavender Oil on the Anxiety of Patients Before Breast Surgery

Abstract

Anxiety is a common problem before surgery. This study aimed to investigate the effects of inhaling lavender oil on anxiety levels in patients before breast surgery. A randomized controlled design was used. The study was conducted in surgery clinics of a university hospital in Adana, Turkey. The study included a total of 80 patients, 40 patients in the intervention group, and 40 patients in the control group, who were scheduled for breast surgery. Lavender oil was used by inhalation. A Personal Information Form and the State Anxiety Inventory were used to collect data. The mean State Anxiety Inventory pretest and post-test scores were 43.00±11.48 and 37.28±9.93, respectively, in the intervention group, indicating a statistically significant difference (P<.05). The mean pretest and post-test State Anxiety Inventory scores were 44.6±11.45 and 42.43±11.48, respectively, in the control group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P>.05). Inhalation of lavender oil before breast surgery decreased anxiety levels of patients. Our study results suggest that the inhalation of lavender oil offered by nurses has positive effects in reducing anxiety levels.