A Feasibility Study of Lavender Aromatherapy in an Awake Craniotomy Environment.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Integrative medicine interventions are needed for awake craniotomies, as many patients experience anxiety. Lavender aromatherapy significantly reduces anxiety or pain in a variety of surgical procedures. This feasibility study used lavender aromatherapy during awake craniotomies to determine the number of patients who would consent and complete the study, the technicality of lavender aromatherapy use, and acceptance by operating room (OR) staff.

Methods

We approached 40 consecutive patients (≥18 years old). Exclusion criteria were pulmonary issues or sensitivity to lavender. Outcome measures in consented patients were enrollment and completion rates, anxiety and pain as measured by the Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A) and Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS-P),

SUBMITTER: Cathey K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6988712 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature