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Effect of aromatherapy with Melissa essential oil on stress and hemodynamic parameters in acute coronary syndrome patients: A clinical trial in the emergency department.

  • 2021-07-05
  • Complementary therapies in clinical practice 44
    • Atefeh Veiskaramian
    • Mohammad Gholami
    • Sajad Yarahmadi
    • Peyman Amanolahi Baharvand
    • Mehdi Birjandi

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 72
Population
72 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the emergency department
Methods
Double-blind clinical trial, stratified block random sampling, Melissa group inhaled two drops of Melissa essential oil, placebo group inhaled two drops of sunflower oil in two aromatherapy phases for 10 min with 90-min intervals
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
two aromatherapy phases for 10 min with 90-min intervals
Funding
Unclear
Stress and hemodynamic changes are among the most significant symptoms and signs that could be observed in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) upon admission to the emergency department. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of the fragrance of lemon balm (Melissa Officinalis) essential oil on stress level and hemodynamic parameters in patients with ACS in the emergency department.

Methods

In this double-blind clinical trial, 72 patients were allocated to two groups of Melissa and placebo based on stratified block random sampling. The Melissa group inhaled two drops of Melissa essential oil, whereas the placebo group inhaled two drops of sunflower oil in two aromatherapy phases for 10 min with 90-min intervals. Stress level was measured using the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21), and hemodynamic parameters were measured and recorded in six time points by a cardiac monitoring system. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and ANOVA statistical tests, Chi-square test, independent t-test, and post-hoc Tukey's test.

Results

Interaction between the time and group indicated the significant decrease in the mean score of stress and heart rate in the time points 2 and 5 (5 min after every occasion of aromatherapy) (p < 0.001) and also the remarkable decrease in the mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the time point 2 in the Melissa group in comparison with the placebo group (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the mean changes in stress, heart rate and MAP in the two group (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Aromatherapy via the inhalation of Melissa essential oil with temporary impacts on certain time points could relieve stress and regulate hemodynamic changes in patients with ACS in emergent and acute conditions.

Research Insights

  • Lemon Balm→Reduced Heart Rate

    There were no significant differences between the mean changes in ... heart rate ... in the two group (P > 0.05)

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    two drops of Melissa essential oil
  • Lemon Balm→Reduced Mean Arterial Pressure

    There were no significant differences between the mean changes in ... MAP ... in the two group (P > 0.05)

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    two drops of Melissa essential oil
  • Lemon Balm→Reduced Stress Levels

    There were no significant differences between the mean changes in stress ... in the two group (P > 0.05)

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    two drops of Melissa essential oil
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