Comparative effect of aromatherapy with Citrus aurantium and mentioning on life expectancy of hemodialysis patients

Hemodialysis patients suffer from many problems including anxiety, depression and loss of well-being. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of aromatherapy with Citrus aurantium and with mentioning on life expectancy of hemodialysis patients.

This experimental study was conducted on 54 hemodialysis patients through pre- and post-test design with control group. Eligible patients were randomly divided into three aromatherapy, mentioning and control groups. Aromatherapy patients received 10% Citrus aurantium for one week. Patients in mentioning group were asked to repeat Fatimah Zahra's prayers for 10-15 minutes or 5-7 times during 7 days. Control group received no intervention. Before and one week after the intervention, the Schneider's life expectancy questionnaire was completed for all three groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.

The ANOVA test showed a significant difference in life expectancy score between three groups after intervention (p=0.005). Bonferroni post-hoc test indicated that the life expectancy was significantly improved in mentioning group compared to aromatherapy and control groups (p=0.013).

Today, performing spiritual and religious care is one of the needs to improve the symptoms of hemodialysis patients. Further studies are recommended to investigate the effect of Citrus aurantium on life expectancy in hemodialysis patients with different dose and duration.