Effect of lavender aromatherapy on well-being among hemodialysis patients: A randomized clinical trial

In spite of the improvement of dialysis techniques, hemodialysis patients still experience debilitation. Impaired functioning, well-being, and quality of life are among the factors that are of a great concern in these patients. The current study aimed to examine the effects of lavender essential oil on well-being among hemodialysis patients. This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 30 hemodialysis patients. For each patient in the experimental group, five cotton balls were prepared using two drops of lavender essence diluted with sweet almond oil. Lavender was used at five concentrations of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%, administered through pinning the soaked cotton ball on the patients' collar on the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth weeks of the intervention, respectively. The patients were asked to breathe normally for 20 min. On the other hand, the control group received only routine nursing care. The perceived sense of well-being was measured in both groups at the end of each week using a visual analog scale. The mean ages of patients were obtained as 58.9 ± 14.31 and 53.03 ± 15.84 years for the experimental and control groups, respectively. Hypertension was reported to be the most common underlying disease in both groups. The results showed a significant difference in the mean level of well-being in the experimental group in the fourth and fifth weeks of the intervention, compared to that before the intervention. Inhalation aromatherapy with 40% and 50% lavender essence had a positive effect on the perceived sense of well-being in hemodialysis patients. However, lower concentrations of 10%, 20%, and 30% did not exert a comparable effect.