Aromatherapy and Its Impact on Preoperative Anxiety, Postoperative Pain, and Patient Experience

Conditions

• Patient Experience
• Postoperative Pain
• Preoperative Anxiety

Eligibility Criteria

Sex

ALL

Age

18 Years - N/A

Healthy Volunteers

Accepted

Interventions

• Aromatherapy — OTHER
  An aromatherapy pod with the blend of Lavendar and Sweet Orange, which has been identified as aiding with stress, pain, and anxiety.
• Unscented Pod — OTHER
  An unscented "aromatherapy" pod that looks identical to the active intervention.

Study Details

Aromatherapy's Impact on Preoperative Anxiety, Postoperative Pain, and Patient Experience Introduction: Surgery often results in increased levels of anxiety and postoperative pain. Postoperative pain relief is typically treated with opioids. However, evidence shows that treatment with opioids alone is often insufficient to provide adequate levels of pain relief and can contribute to the growing opioid crisis. Alternative pain management strategies that combine narcotic medication with complementary therapies can improve comfort as well as decrease preoperative anxiety. Aromatherapy is an evidence-based complementary therapy used to decrease preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain that has been underutilized in ambulatory surgical centers. This study aimed to evaluate the impact Aromatherapy has as an anxiety and pain management strategy. Subsequently, evidence also supports that improving the patient experience can lead to better surgical outcomes. Study Aim: This study will examine the effect that aromatherapy has on preoperative anxiety, postoperative pain and patient experience Study Question(s): In perioperative patients at Kaiser Stockton Ambulatory Surgery Unit, how does aromatherapy, compared with standard practice, affect preoperative anxiety? In perioperative patients at Kaiser Stockton Ambulatory Surgery Unit, how does aromatherapy, compared with standard practice, affect postoperative pain? In perioperative patients at Kaiser Stockton Ambulatory Surgery Unit, how does aromatherapy, compared with standard practice, affect patient experience? Study Method: Prospective Experimental Randomized Control Clinical Trial Study Duration: 18 months Study Process: The participants will be recruited through their Pre-surgery interview, at which time a brief explanation will be given on aromatherapy, its potential to reduce preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain, and increase the patient experience. The study design and protocol will also be described. Should the participants elect to participate in this study, they will be randomly assigned using a computer program. Upon arrival for surgery, informed consent will be obtained. Anxiety and pain will be assessed for pre- and post- intervention and just before transferring to the operating room (OR). Upon arrival to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), pain will be assessed in 15-minute intervals until discharge. Anxiety will be reassessed at discharge. Experience will be assessed 2 weeks after discharge. Data Analysis: A one-way Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) will be used to assess the impact of aromatherapy on pain, anxiety, and satisfaction. Conclusions: This study aims to add to the body of knowledge of how the incorporation of aromatherapy can impact patient outcomes.

Key Dates

First listed

Aug 18, 2026

Start date

Jul 7, 2026

Status verified

Jul 2026

Primary completion

Jan 31, 2028

Completion

Jan 31, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment

286 participants (estimated)

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Arms

• Active Comparator: Scented Aromatherapy Pod
  Aromatherapy Pod
• Placebo Comparator: Unscented Aromatherapy Pod
  Unscented Pod

Primary Outcome Measure

Preoperative Anxiety [ Time Frame: Prior to the intervention, the participant will assess their baseline anxiety using the Preoperative Anxiety Scale-7, re-evaluated prior to transfer to the OR after intervention is applied, and again at discharge. All on Day 1, date of surgery. ]

Locations (1)

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