Effects of French Lavender Aromatherapy on Post-Appendectomy Pain

Flashcards about French Lavender Aromatherapy and Post-Appendectomy Pain

What is a common consequence of surgical interventions due to tissue damage?

Postoperative pain

What percentage of hospitalized patients in the Netherlands experienced moderate to severe pain on the day of surgery, according to a study?

41%

Name at least three potential physiological consequences of untreated postoperative pain.

Respiratory distress, sympathetic system activation, increased blood coagulability, increased heart rate, respiration, sweating, reduced arterial oxygen, increased aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone levels, water and sodium retention, reduced urine output, skin irritation, restlessness, pupillary dilatation.

What are some mental health effects that can be caused by postoperative pain?

Increased fear, anxiety, feelings of helplessness, and hopelessness

What is a major emphasis regarding new regulatory standards for acute post-surgical pain?

Routine pain assessment, also known as the fifth vital sign.

What are some benefits of non-pharmacological approaches to pain management?

Safe, non-invasive, cost-effective, and practicable strategies that can be implemented independently.

What is aromatherapy?

A type of complementary and alternative medicine that uses methods such as the inhalation of vapors or absorption of essential oils by the skin to treat or alleviate emotional and physical symptoms.

Name some essential oil extracts that are used to treat symptoms such as pain and anxiety.

Lavender, jasmine, rosemary, rose, geranium, and chamomile.

What are the potential effects of linalool and linalyl acetate, found in lavender, on the body?

They stimulate the parasympathetic system; linalyl acetate also has narcotic properties, and linalool acts as a sedative.

What was the primary aim of the study described in the notes regarding French lavender aromatherapy?

To evaluate the effect of French lavender aromatherapy using the inhalation technique on reducing pain and decreasing patients’ need for narcotic drugs after appendectomy surgery.

What were the main inclusion criteria for participants in the study?

Being aged 18-65 years and having abdominal surgery with a duration of operation of less than 90 minutes.

What were the main exclusion criteria for participants in the study?

Drug addiction, suffering from chronic diseases or diabetes, having more than one surgery, having cancer diagnosis, history of eczema or allergy to herbs, a history of migraine or chronic headaches, suffering from a hemorrhagic disease or active mental illness, or having disorders of the olfactory system.

How was pain measured in the study?

Using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

How was the essential oil mixture prepared for the intervention group?

The essential oil was prepared by a chemist from the flowers of the plant in pure form and then combined with one-tenth of sweet almond oil to reduce the volatility of the essential oil and adding aroma

What were the findings regarding pain intensity in the lavender aroma group?

At all stages of the study, the lavender aroma was associated with a significant reduction in pain (P < 0.0001). Also, the pain intensity was significantly lower in the intervention group than the control (P < 0.0001).

What was the main conclusion of the study?

Aromatherapy is an effective complementary option to reduce postoperative pain and as an analgesic drug.

What was the identified limitation in the study that could influence pain perception and tolerance?

Lack of control over the personal biochemical characteristics of participants (e.g. pain threshold and the ability to tolerate the pain).