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Effects of inhalation of peppermint oil after lumbar discectomy surgery on pain and anxiety levels of patients: A randomized controlled study.

  • 2023-12-07
  • Explore (New York, N.Y.) 20(4)
    • Mesut Meşe
    • Serdar Sarıtaş

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 68
Population
68 patients (34 patients in the experimental group and 34 patients in the control group) after lumbar discectomy surgery
Methods
Randomized controlled trial, experimental group inhaled five drops of peppermint oil on a sterile gauze pad for 10 minutes, control group no intervention
Duration
10 minutes

Aim

This study was conducted to analyze the effects of the inhalation of peppermint oil after lumbar discectomy surgery on the pain and anxiety levels of patients.

Materials and method

This study was performed as a randomized controlled trial from September 2022 to June 2023 with 68 patients (34 patients in the experimental group and 34 patients in the control group). A Patient Information Form, the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, and the State Anxiety Inventory were used in the data collection process. The researcher administered the Patient Information Form to the patients before they underwent surgery. The State Anxiety Inventory and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale were administered to the patients after the second hour in the postoperative period. Next, for 10 minutes, only the patients in the experimental group inhaled five drops of peppermint oil dripped on a sterile gauze pad whereas no intervention was administered to the patients in the control group. Then, the State Anxiety Inventory and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale were administered again to the patients in both groups successively after the third and fourth hours in the postoperative period.

Results

After the second hour in the postoperative period, the difference between the mean pain or state anxiety levels of the two groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). On the other hand, after the third and fourth hours in the postoperative period, the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

It was concluded that the inhalation of peppermint oil after lumbar discectomy surgery reduced pain and anxiety levels.

Research Insights

  • Peppermint→Reduced Anxiety

    after the third and fourth hours in the postoperative period, the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    five drops on sterile gauze, inhaled for 10 minutes
  • Peppermint→Reduced Pain

    after the third and fourth hours in the postoperative period, the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    five drops on sterile gauze, inhaled for 10 minutes
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