Research: HOZUMI and COLLEAGUES,

Listed in Issue 273

Abstract

HOZUMI and COLLEAGUES, 1. Self Defense Forces Sendai Hospital, Japan sd37667hozu1334@yahoo.co.jp ; 2. Self Defense Forces Sendai Hospital, Japan investigated the effects of aromatherapy on anxiety and abdominal discomfort during colonoscopy.

Background

Colonoscopy can be painful and uncomfortable. Aromatherapy is often used for the relief of anxiety or discomfort. Recently, it has been reported that olfactory stimulation induces various physiological effects. The authors investigated the effects of aromatherapy on anxiety and abdominal discomfort during colonoscopy.

Methodology

The investigation was carried out using a randomized controlled study. Aromatherapy was performed by vapour diffusion, and each patient was given one of the following treatments: no inhalation (control group), essential-oil-less vapour (vehicle group), lavender oil (lavender group), grapefruit oil (grapefruit group), or Osmanthus fragrans oil (Osmanthus fragrans group). Following total colonoscopy procedures, each patient estimated their anxiety and abdominal discomfort using the Numeric Rating Scale.

Results

Total colonoscopy was performed on 361 patients. No complications caused by colonoscopy or aromatherapy were experienced. In the Osmanthus fragrans group, anxiety was significantly attenuated. The abdominal discomfort of patients who reported strong anxiety during colonoscopy was significantly attenuated in the grapefruit group and the Osmanthus fragrans group.

Conclusion

Aromatherapies using Osmanthus fragrans oil and grapefruit oil are effective complementary treatments for anxious patients undergoing colonoscopy.

References

Hozumi H1, Hasegawa S2, Tsunenari T2, Sanpei N2, Arashina Y2, Takahashi K2, Konnno A2, Chida E2, Tomimatsu S2. Aromatherapies using Osmanthus fragrans oil and grapefruit oil are effective complementary treatments for anxious patients undergoing colonoscopy: A randomized controlled study. Complement Ther Med.;34:165-169. Oct 2017. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.08.012. Epub Aug 24 2017.

Comment

The above research suggests that aromatherapy using Osmanthus fragrans oil and grapefruit oil may be clinically effective complementary treatment for anxious patients undergoing colonoscopy.

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