Reduction in needle pain

[obsidianom]

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2014 Feb;20(1):1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2013.11.005. Epub 2013 Nov 22.

The effects of lavender aromatherapy on pain following needle insertion into a fistula in hemodialysis patients.

Bagheri-Nesami M1, Espahbodi F2, Nikkhah A3, Shorofi SA4, Charati JY5.


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Abstract


OBJECTIVE:

This study sought to determine the effects of lavender aromatherapy on pain following needle insertion into a fistula in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

METHOD:

This is a randomized controlled clinical trial in which 92 patients undergoing hemodialysis with arteriovenous fistulas were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental-group patients inhaled lavender essence with a concentration of 10% for 5 min during 3 hemodialysis sessions, while the control-group patients received aromatherapy free of lavender essence.

RESULTS:

The mean VAS pain intensity score in the experimental and control groups before the intervention was 3.78 ± 0.24 and 4.16 ± 0.32, respectively (p = 0.35). The mean VAS pain intensity score in the experimental and control groups after three aromatherapy sessions was 2.36 ± 0.25 and 3.43 ± 0.31, respectively (p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION:

Lavender aromatherapy may be an effective technique to reduce pain following needle insertion into a fistula in hemodialysis patients.

Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.


KEYWORDS:

Aromatherapy, Hemodialysis fistulas, Lavender essence, Needle insertion, Pain