Effect of Aromatherapy on Anxiety in Colonoscopy Patients

Eastern Mediterranean University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Aromatherapy; Colonoscopy; Anxiety

Treatments: Other: Lavender Aromatherapy; Other: Placebo Inhalation; Other: Bergamot Aromatherapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07067424

EY-Aroma2025-01

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of aromatherapy with lavender and bergamot essential oils on anxiety, vital signs, and feelings of embarrassment before colonoscopy. The findings of this study are expected to contribute both to filling a gap in the literature and to the planning of evidence-based nursing interventions aimed at minimizing pre-colonoscopy anxiety and embarrassment in patients.

Full description

In addition to being a painful and uncomfortable procedure, colonoscopy can cause anxiety and fear in patients due to procedure-related concerns, fear of a cancer diagnosis, and feelings of embarrassment resulting from perceived violations of privacy during the procedure. To alleviate patients' anxiety, fear, or embarrassment before colonoscopy, various non-pharmacological approaches, such as aromatherapy, are utilized. Aromatherapy, also known as essential oil therapy, is defined as "the art and science of using naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize, and promote the health of the body, mind, and spirit". Lavender and bergamot essential oils have been reported to have positive effects on anxiety in patients undergoing certain medical procedures, such as surgeries, childbirth, urodynamic testing, and endoscopic interventions. However, no study has yet evaluated the combined effects of aromatherapy with lavender and bergamot oils on anxiety, vital signs, and feelings of embarrassment in patients undergoing colonoscopy. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of aromatherapy with lavender and bergamot essential oils on anxiety, vital signs, and feelings of embarrassment before colonoscopy. The findings of this study are expected to contribute both to filling a gap in the literature and to the planning of evidence-based nursing interventions aimed at minimizing pre-colonoscopy anxiety and embarrassment in patients.

Enrollment: 102 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients over 18 years of age
• Patients undergoing a colonoscopy
• Patients capable of reading and understanding the study instructions

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who refused to participate in the study
• Patients who reported an allergy to any of the lavender or bergamot extracts used in the study

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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102 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

Lavender Aromatherapy

Experimental group

Description:

Inhalation of lavender essential oil for 20 minutes prior to colonoscopy.

Treatment:

Other: Lavender Aromatherapy

Bergamot Aromatherapy

Experimental group

Description:

Inhalation of bergamot essential oil for 20 minutes prior to colonoscopy.

Treatment:

Other: Bergamot Aromatherapy

Control Group

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group will inhale an odorless substance (distilled water ) to mimic the aromatherapy procedure without active ingredients.

Treatment:

Other: Placebo Inhalation