The effect of aromatherapy with Pelargonium graveolens on postoperative pain intensity in hospitalized children: A clinical randomized trial

Pain is the most common complication follows the surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of inhalation aromatherapy with Pelargonium graveolens on the postoperative pain in children. In a double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial study, 64 children with 3-6 years old in eases way selected and divided randomly into two groups and in each group 32 children. Patients in group A were given inhalation aromatherapy with pelargonium graveolens and in group B were given almond oil as a placebo. Inhalation aromatherapy used at the first time of child enter to ward as the 0 time and then at 3, 6, 9 and 12 hours afterward and common treatment to palliative pain were used in two groups. 30 minutes after per time aromatherapy, the postoperative pain in children were evaluated with the checklist, Toddler Preschooler Postoperative Pain Scale. It was found that the pain score at the first time of child enter toward (before received any aromatherapy or palliative care) have no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). After each time of aromatherapy and at the end of treatment, the reduction of pain score was significantly higher in the aromatherapy group with pelargonium graveolens than in the placebo group (P<0.05). According to this study, aromatherapy with pelargonium graveolens can use in postoperative pain in children with other common treatment without any significant side effects.