Effectiveness of inhalation of aromatherapy in reducing anxiety in patients before colonoscopy: a systematic review protocol.

Abstract

REVIEW QUESTION / OBJECTIVE Is inhalation aromatherapy effective in reducing patients’ anxiety before colonoscopy? The objective of this review is to examine the effectiveness of inhalation aromatherapy in reducing patients’ anxiety before colonoscopy. INCLUSION CRITERIA Types of participants This review will consider studies that include participants of all ages, sexes and with any indication for colonoscopy. A sub-group analysis by sedation status, if it can be identified, will be conducted. There are no exclusion criteria. However, the reviewers will consider conducting sub-group analyses according to the types of participants if the participants’ characteristics include potential confounders, such as disease type. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest This review will consider studies that evaluate inhalation aromatherapy before a colonoscopy. The review will exclude studies that do not use essential oils in the intervention, even if aroma is mentioned. The control group using placebo scent without essential oils will be considered for inclusion as the comparison with the intervention group. Types of outcomes This review will consider studies that include any anxiety scale as subjective outcome measures, such as the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Visceral Sensitivity Index. The objective outcomes that are considered to influence anxiety will also be examined as secondary objectives, such as pulse, blood pressure and cortisol blood levels.