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Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research

Examining the Effect of Peppermint Oil on Postoperative Nausea After Cervical Surgery.

  • 2024-10-24
  • The Journal of neuroscience nursing : journal of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses 56(6)
    • Nurdan Cetin
    • Gulsah Kose
    • Aykut Gokbel

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
76 single-level cervical surgery patients
Methods
This prospective randomized controlled study; patients randomized into 2 groups: intervention group received peppermint oil aromatherapy through inhalation, control group received routine clinical treatment
Blinding
Open-label
Duration
observed at minute 5, 35, 65, and 95, and at hour 2, 6, 12, and 24 after surgery
Funding
Unclear

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of peppermint oil aromatherapy on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and hemodynamic parameters in patients undergoing single-level cervical surgery. METHODS: This prospective randomized controlled study consisted of 76 single-level cervical surgery patients admitted to the neurosurgery department between March 2021 and November 2022. The patients were randomized into 2 groups: the intervention group received peppermint oil aromatherapy through inhalation, whereas the control group received routine clinical treatment. Both groups were observed for the presence and severity of PONV, the use of antiemetics, and hemodynamic parameters at minute 5, 35, 65, and 95, and at hour 2, 6, 12, and 24 after surgery. RESULTS: In the control group, 18 (47.8%) patients experienced nausea, 11 (28.9%) experienced vomiting, and 7 (18.4%) used antiemetics. In contrast, the intervention group included only 2 (5.3%) patients who experienced nausea, and none of those patients experienced vomiting or used antiemetics. It was determined that peppermint oil had a 40% effect on reducing PONV, 34% effect on reducing postoperative antiemetic use, and 75% effect on reducing severity of nausea. Hemodynamic parameters did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. The systolic blood pressure of the control group was significantly greater than that of the intervention group only at minute 95 and at hour 24 after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the use of peppermint oil aromatherapy can have a positive effect on reducing the presence and severity of PONV and the need for antiemetic medication in patients undergoing single-level cervical surgery.

Research Insights

  • It was determined that peppermint oil had a ... 34% effect on reducing postoperative antiemetic use

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • In the control group, 18 (47.8%) patients experienced nausea... In contrast, the intervention group included only 2 (5.3%) patients who experienced nausea...

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
  • 75% effect on reducing severity of nausea

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
  • The systolic blood pressure of the control group was significantly greater than that of the intervention group only at minute 95 and at hour 24 after surgery.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • In the control group, 11 (28.9%) experienced vomiting... In contrast, the intervention group... none of those patients experienced vomiting

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large

Adverse Events Reported

  • PeppermintOverall tolerability

    It was determined that peppermint oil had a 40% effect on reducing PONV, 34% effect on reducing postoperative antiemetic use, and 75% effect on reducing severity of nausea.

    Finding
    No significant difference
    Magnitude
    peppermint oil had a 40% effect on reducing PONV, 34% effect on reducing postoperative antiemetic use, and 75% effect on reducing severity of nausea
    Significant
    Yes
  • Peppermintantiemetic use

    In the control group, 7 (18.4%) used antiemetics... and none of those patients... used antiemetics.

    Finding
    No significant difference
    Significant
    Yes
  • Peppermintnausea

    In the control group, 18 (47.8%) patients experienced nausea... In contrast, the intervention group included only 2 (5.3%) patients who experienced nausea...

    Finding
    No significant difference
    Significant
    Yes
  • Peppermintsystolic blood pressure

    Hemodynamic parameters did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. The systolic blood pressure of the control group was significantly greater than that of the intervention group only at minute 95 and at hour 24 after surgery.

    Finding
    No significant difference
    Significant
    No
  • Peppermintvomiting

    In the control group, 11 (28.9%) experienced vomiting... and none of those patients experienced vomiting...

    Finding
    No significant difference
    Significant
    Yes
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