Effect of inhalation aromatherapy with lavender essence on pain associated with intravenous catheter insertion in preschool children: A quasi-experimental study

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of inhalation aromatherapy with lavender essence on the pain severity of intravenous catheter insertion in hospitalized preschool children. Method: A quasi-experimental study involving 60 participants using convenience sampling were assigned to control (n = 30) and aromatherapy (n = 30) groups. Children in the aromatherapy group inhaled 5 drops of the essence, while children in the control group inhaled 5 drops of distilled water, 20 min before venipuncture. Pain severity was measured using OUCHER scale 10 min after catheterization. Results: Mean of pain severity between the aromatherapy and control groups demonstrated a significant difference immediately (P = 0.002) and 5 (P = 0.001) and 10 min (P = 0.01) after intravenous catheter insertion. Mean of pain severity in the three assessed time points had significant differences in aromatherapy and control groups (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Aromatherapy with Lavender essence helped to reduce pain severity of intravenous catheter insertion in children. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.