The Effects of Lavender and Citrus aurantium on Anxiety and Agitation of the Conscious Patients in Intensive Care Units: A Parallel Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background. Conscious patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) suffer from anxiety and agitation for various reasons, which can affect their recovery processes. Aims. To compare the effects of lavender and Citrus aurantium essential oils on anxiety and agitation of conscious patients admitted to ICUs. Design. A randomized parallel placebo-controlled trial. Methods. One hundred and fifty conscious patients admitted to ICUs were selected by convenience sampling and were randomly divided into three groups, groups of lavender aromatherapy and Citrus aurantium aromatherapy, in addition to the routine care and inhalation of five drops of lavender or Citrus aurantium essential oils for 30 minutes. The placebo group, in addition to routine care, was provided with 5 drops of normal saline for 30 minutes. Anxiety was assessed with the state subscale of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and agitation was examined with Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale before, immediately, one hour, and three hours after the intervention. Results. All three groups suffered from relatively severe state anxiety before the intervention. The level of anxiety in the lavender and Citrus aurantium groups was significantly lower than that of the placebo group immediately and three hours after the intervention (P