Essential Oil Therapy for Alleviation of Discomfort in Surgical Patients

Abstract

Practice Problem: Post-surgical pain (PSP) has not been sufficiently managed despite routine opioid use. The adverse effects of opioids led to the search for non-pharmaceutical intervention. PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this project was, "In an acute hospital surgical setting, does essential oil therapy complement pain and discomfort relief comparing to conventional pain management alone after 6 weeks?" Evidence: Seven clinical studies, five systematic or integrative reviews, and four conference proceedings were reviewed. The evidence supported lavender essential oil for the alleviation of PSP and discomfort. Intervention: Patients breathe through a personal lavender essential oil inhaler hourly or every 2 hours. Outcome: The percentage means of pre and post-intervention pain score reduction were 39.51 + 17.73 and 45.77 + 19.45. The post-intervention group's mean pain score changed from 51.53 to 27.71 pre and post-opioids. Opioid usage per patient day in two groups was 26.2 mg and 48.6mg in morphine equivalent. Pain scores pre and post essential oil therapy were 6.13 and 2.7. Conclusion: This project did not confirm the statistical significance of pain score reduction but a higher reduction in the post-intervention group. The results were clinically meaningful to offer lavender essential oil to alleviate PSP and discomfort.