Effect of and chamomile aromas on anxiety and vital signs in cardiac care unit patients: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Complementary therapies, such as aromatherapy, were used to manage acute and chronic symptoms of diseases. Anxiety symptoms and deviations in vital signs are frequently manifest in patients admitted to the cardiac care unit (CCU). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of and chamomile aromas on anxiety levels and vital signs of patients hospitalized in CCU.

METHODS

In this clinical research trial (CRT), a total of 76 hospitalized patients in the CCU were randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention group received aromatherapy using a blend of chamomile and essences at a ratio of 2:0.5 on an eye pad. They inhaled the aromas from a distance of 10 cm for three nights. Vital signs were recorded every 6 h. Spielberger's anxiety questionnaire was administered before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using independent -tests, paired -tests, Chi-square tests, Fisher's exact tests, and the generalized estimating equation (GEE) approach.

RESULTS

Before the aromatherapy, the mean (SD) scores of state and trait anxiety in the intervention group were 57.9 (11.4) and 50 (12.5) respectively, after the intervention, these scores decreased to 35.3 (8.4) and 38.5 (8.2), and the paired -test revealed a significant difference between them ( < 0.001). Before the intervention there was no significant difference in the mean scores of state and trait anxiety between the two groups, ( > 0.05), however following the intervention, a significant difference was observed ( < 0.001). Additionally, the intervention resulted in the recovery of patients' heart rate.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed, application of and chamomile aromas significantly lower anxiety levels and enhance the hemodynamic status of patients in the CCU. It may be suggested as a beneficial nursing intervention for these patients.