The effects of Citrus aurantium aroma on anxiety and fatigue in patients with acute myocardial infarction: A two-center, randomized, controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectivesAnxiety and fatigue affect the clinical course and quality of life in patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI). Complementary therapies are recommended for managing these symptoms. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Citrus aurantium aroma on anxiety and fatigue in patients with AMI admitted to coronary care units. DesignIn this triple-blind, randomized, controlled, clinical trial, 80 patients with AMI were allocated to a Citrus aurantium group and a placebo group (n = 40 per group) through stratified randomized blocks. From their second day of hospitalization and for two consecutive days, the subjects in the experimental and control groups inhaled three drops of Citrus aurantium essential oil or the placebo using absorbable patches connected to the inside of oxygen masks for 20 min. Anxiety and fatigue were measured in the patients using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) 30 min before and 15 and 30 min after the interventions. ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference between the Citrus aurantium and placebo groups concerning the mean changes in their anxiety and fatigue scores (P < 0.001Citrus aurantium essential oil reduced anxiety and fatigue on all the four measurement occasions after the intervention compared to before. ConclusionAromatherapy with Citrus aurantium can be used as part of holistic care for managing the symptoms of AMI by nurses.