The effect of aromatherapy with Melissa officinalis L. essential oil on anxiety level and physiological parameters of patients undergoing coronary angiography

One of the most important problems of coronary angiography candidatesis anxiety. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Melissa officinalis L. on the level of anxiety and physiological parameters of these patients.

A randomized clinical trial with a control group was conducted on 72 patients referred to Kordkuy Heart Hospital in 2021. Samples were selected as available and were allocated to two groups by simple random method (n=36 in each group). Data were gathered three times, before intervention, and minutes 3 and 20 from the beginning of intervention. Hemodynamic parameters were measured and Speilberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire was used to determine anxiety level. Data were analyzed with SPSS 18 with independent t-test, U-Man-Whitney, Chi-Square, and Fisher's exact test at a significance level of 0.05.

The results showed that 20 minutes after initiation of the intervention, the mean changes in heart rate was significantly lower in the intervention group (p=0.001). moreover, mean respiration rate in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group 20 minutes from the beginning of the intervention (p=0.002). Mean changes in anxiety was lower in the intervention group compared with the control group. This difference was not significant, but close to significant level (p=0.063).

Aromatherapy can reduce anxiety before angiography and is suggested as an alternative and safe care intervention.