Effects of aromatherapy on pain and anxiety in burn patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

ObjectivesPain and anxiety are problems that are common in burn patients and negatively affect their quality of life. Aromatherapy is one of the methods nurses use to relieve pain and anxiety. Evidence is needed for the effect of aromatherapy on pain and anxiety in burn patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis study aims to determine the effects of aromatherapy on pain and anxiety in burn patients. MethodsReviews were done through Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCO (Medline, CINAHL), Embase (OVID) Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases using keywords. All studies included in the review were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted between 2012 and 2022 that assessed the efficacy of any type of aromatherapy as a treatment for burn-related pain and anxiety. Study selection and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. In assessing the quality of research IJB Critical Appraisal Checklist for randomized controlled trials, the risk of bias (ROB) in the trials included in the review was assessed using the Cochrane ROB assessment tool. The data were synthesized by meta-analysis. ResultsSeven randomized controlled experimental studies published in 2016–2022 were included in the study. The total sample size of the studies is 662. According to the combined results of these studies, pain and anxiety scores in both aromatherapy (massage and inhalation) groups were lower than in the control group. ConclusionThis study showed that aromatherapy with some herbs is effective in reducing pain and anxiety in burn patients. However, higher quality RCTs are needed to establish guidelines on the use of aromatherapy safely.