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The Effect of Lavender Aromatherapy on Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, and Perceived Stress Among Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients: A Pilot Study.

Authors :
Sebastian LA
Kear T
Source :
Holistic nursing practice [Holist Nurs Pract] 2024 Jul-Aug 01; Vol. 38 (4), pp. 238-244. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jun 19.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of lavender aromatherapy via inhalation as a stress management modality for patients in cardiac rehabilitation. This was a quasi-experimental design. Aromatherapy was provided via inhalation to participants before a cardiac rehabilitation session over 8 minutes using lavender essential oil. The same protocol was used in the non-aromatherapy session without the essential oil. Blood pressure and radial pulse were measured, and subjective data were also collected including assessment of stress level (1-10 scale) and affect using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics version 20. Quantitative measures were analyzed using Mann-Whitney nonparametric equivalent to the t test. Inferential measures were analyzed using the χ 2 or Fisher's exact test. In the outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program, 25 patients participated in this study. The average change in negative affect (PANAS-) between pre and post-aromatherapy compared with pre- and post-non-aromatherapy sessions was statistically significant. Results showed a reduction in blood pressure following both aromatherapy and non-aromatherapy sessions with no statistical significance between sessions. Heart rate decreased equally post-aromatherapy and non-aromatherapy sessions. Aromatherapy may be a useful stress management tool for cardiac rehabilitation patients.<br /> (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1550-5138
Volume :
38
Issue :
4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Holistic nursing practice
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
33534425
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0000000000000430