Aromatherapies using Osmanthus fragrans oil and grapefruit oil are effective complementary treatments for anxious patients undergoing colonoscopy: A randomized controlled study

Complement Ther Med. 2017 Oct:34:165-169. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.08.012. Epub 2017 Aug 24.

Abstract

Background and aims: 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. We investigated the effects of aromatherapy on anxiety and abdominal discomfort during colonoscopy.

Methods: The investigation was carried out using a randomized controlled study. Aromatherapy was performed by vapor diffusion, and each patient was given one of the following treatments: no inhalation (control group), essential-oil-less vapor (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.

Keywords: Abdominal discomfort; Anxiety; Aromatherapy; Colonoscopy; Grapefruit; Osmanthus fragrans.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / drug therapy
  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Adult
  • Anxiety / drug therapy*
  • Anxiety / etiology
  • Aromatherapy*
  • Citrus paradisi*
  • Colonoscopy / adverse effects*
  • Colonoscopy / psychology
  • Humans
  • Lavandula
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oils, Volatile / pharmacology
  • Oils, Volatile / therapeutic use*
  • Oleaceae*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology

Substances

  • Oils, Volatile
  • Plant Extracts
  • Plant Oils
  • lavender oil