Comparing the Effect of EMLA Cream and Lavender Oil on Severity of Pain Caused by Enoxaparin Injection in Cardiac Patients

Sodium enoxaparin is used in cardiac patients to prevent the progression of coronary artery obstruction. Its injection causes pain and bruises due to acidification and nurses should reduce these in patients. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of EMLA cream and lavender oil on reducing the pain caused by injection of enoxaparin in cardiac patients in Kashan, Iran 2018.

This clinical trial was performed in 75 patients with heart disease hospitalized in Kashan Shahid Beheshti Hospital. The patients were randomly divided into three groups to receive EMLA cream (n=25), lavender oil (n=25), and no treatment (control group, n=25). A researcher-made checklist including two parts (demographic information and pain scale) was used. The severity of pain was measured immediately and 5 minutes after two intermittent injections, in 24 hour, using visual scale. Data were analyzed in SPSS V21 applying ANOVA and Chi-square test.

The findings showed no significant differences between the two groups in demographic characteristics (age, sex, weight, height, and BMI). Compared to the control group, the severity of pain was significantly lower in groups that received lavender oil (P = 0.005) and EMLA cream (P= 0.01).

According to this study, lavender oil and EMLA cream could reduce the pain caused by enoxaparin injection.