The Effect of Lavender Oil Aromatherapy on Sleep Quality of the Intensive Care Unit Nurses

Sleep difficulties in nurses are considered as a major problem. One of the methods to improve nurses` sleep quality is aromatherapy. This study aims to investigate the effect of Lavender oil aromatherapy on sleep quality of nurses working in Intensive Care Units.
In this clinical trial, 70 nurses working in Intensive Care Units of Amir-al-Momenin hospital of Gerdkouy city, after completing informed consents were randomly divided in two intervention and control groups. Data collection was done using demographic information questionnaire and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). In the experimental group, Lavender inhalation was used for a period of four weeks (every other day) and in control group only water was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS Software version 21.
Findings indicated that there was no significant difference between experimental and control groups in terms of demographic characteristics (p>0.05). The mean score of sleep quality in experimental group (5.02±0.48) was significantly less than control group (7.82±0.52) after the intervention (p=0.0001). Also, in the intervention group, score of all dimensions of sleep quality (except taking sleeping pills) was significantly less than the score before aromatherapy (p>0.05).
Results revealed that Lavender inhalation has a positive effect on sleep quality of nurses working in Intensive Care Units and can be used as a useful method to improve the sleep quality of these nurses.