The Effectiveness of Neroli Essential Oil in Relieving Anxiety and Perceived Pain in Women during Labor: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Cristiano Scandurra,Vincenzo Bochicchio,Nelson Mauro Maldonato,Selene Mezzalira,Giancarlo Statti,Sara Cutillo,Mariavittoria Locci,Rosanna Zapparella

doi:10.3390/healthcare10020366

Cristiano Scandurra, Vincenzo Bochicchio + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10020366

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Abstract

Childbirth is a stressful and physically painful event in a woman’s life and aromatherapy is one of the most used non-pharmacological methods that is effective in reducing anxiety and perceived pain. This randomized controlled study aimed at determining the effect of neroli oil aromatherapy on anxiety and pain intensity perception in 88 women during labor, randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 44) or control group (n = 44). Anxiety and perceived pain were assessed through the visual analogue scale during the latent, early, and late active phases of labor. Data analyses included the t-test, Chi-square test, and repeated measures ANOVA. Perceived pain and anxiety in the group receiving aromatherapy were significantly lower than in the control group at all stages of labor (p < 0.05). Specifically, as the labor progressed, pain and anxiety increased in all participants, but the increase was milder in the experimental group than in the control group. The multiparas showed higher average anxiety scores, but not perceived pain, than the primiparas in all phases of labor (p < 0.05). Ultimately, neroli oil aromatherapy during labor can be used as an alternative tool to relieve anxiety and perceived pain in women during all stages of labor.

Highlights

During childbirth, fear and anxiety go hand in hand with anticipation and joy [1].childbirth is a stressful and physically painful event in a woman’s life, to the point that labor pain has been defined as one of the most severe types of human pain [2].Perception of pain during labor is due to uterus’ contractions, uterine extension, and cervical dilation [3]
The results showed that participants undergoing aromatherapy had lower perceived pain intensity than participants in the control group at all stages of labor (Table 2)
As the labor progressed, pain and anxiety increased in all participants, but the increase was milder in the experimental group when compared to the control group

Summary

Introduction

Fear and anxiety go hand in hand with anticipation and joy [1].childbirth is a stressful and physically painful event in a woman’s life, to the point that labor pain has been defined as one of the most severe types of human pain [2].Perception of pain during labor is due to uterus’ contractions, uterine extension, and cervical dilation [3]. Childbirth is a stressful and physically painful event in a woman’s life, to the point that labor pain has been defined as one of the most severe types of human pain [2]. Previous studies stressed the association between pain and anxiety [5]. Anxiety activates the sympathetic nervous system releasing stress-related hormones (e.g., cortisol and adrenaline), which, as a consequence, may increase the severity of labor pain [6]. It is imperative for midwives and obstetricians/gynecologists (Ob/Gyns) to find effective ways to relieve labor pain and anxiety

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