Comparing the Effect of Aromatherapy with Lavender and Rose Essential Oils on the Prevention of Headache Induced by Infusion of Nitroglycerin in Cardiac Care Unit

Headaches are a side effect of nitrates that limits the use of this drug in some patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of aromatherapy and lavender essential oils on the prevention of headache induced by infusion of Nitroglycerin in cardiac care units.

In this randomized clinical trial, 45 patients with heart disease were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned into 3 groups. In the intervention groups (roses and lavender), as soon as the infusion of nitroglycerin was started, cotton submerged in 3 drops of the essential oil was inhaled for half an hour and no aromatherapy was used in the control group. The frequency of headache was measured by using visual analogue scale at 90 minutes after aromatherapy. In case of headache in any of the groups, usual treatment of headache, acetaminophen tablet 325 mg, was used. This was also recorded in the patient's checklist. Data were analyzed by SPSS at the significant level of 0.05.

The frequency of headache during the study period was not statistically significant in the three groups. However, the amount of acetaminophen used to relieve headache in the rose group was less than the control and lavender groups significantly.

Aromatherapy with rose and lavender essential oils may reduce the headache caused by infused nitroglycerin. Therefore, it is recommended to be considered as one of the effective treatments.