The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aroma inhalation therapy on stress, anxiety, depression, and an autonomic nervous system reaction in high-risk hospitalized pregnant women.
A quasi-experimental study used a non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design. Fifty high-risk hospitalized pregnant women were selected as participants on delivery room and maternity ward at university hospital. Twenty-five were selected for the experimental group while 25 were assigned to a control group. Neroli essential oil was used for aroma therapy and was already identified as not being hazard to pregnant women. It provided emotional stability from previous study. The participants inhaled Neroli 2 minutes, 3 times (9 am to 10 am, 4 pm to 5 pm, just before sleep) a day. A total of 15 sessions were held from the day of the preliminary investigation. Pre and post written survey and measuring an autonomic nervous system reaction were collected from both groups.
The data were analyzed by x
These findings indicate that aroma inhalation therapy is effective as a nursing intervention for the stress relief of hospitalized high-risk pregnant women.
Homogeneity Test of General Characteristics between Experimental and Control Group (
Characteristics | Categories | Exp. (n=25) | Cont. (n=25) | x2 or t | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
n (%) or M±SD | n (%) or M±SD | ||||
Age (yr) | 33.6±4.1 | 34.3±3.2 | 12.09 | .599 | |
Education level | ≤High school | 5 (20.0) | 2 (8.0) | 1.50 | .417 |
≥College | 20 (80.0) | 23 (92.0) | |||
Length of marriage (yr) | 4.17±3.46 | 3.82±2.77 | 40.13 | .292 | |
Gestational age (week) | 27.54±6.56 | 28.94±3.52 | 15.30 | .358 | |
Parity | No | 17 (68.0) | 17 (68.0) | 0.00 | 1.000 |
Yes | 8 (32.0) | 8 (32.0) | |||
Religion | No | 10 (40.0) | 13 (52.0) | 0.73 | .571 |
Yes | 15 (60.0) | 12 (48.0) | |||
Occupation | No | 13 (52.0) | 14 (56.0) | 0.08 | .777 |
Yes | 12 (48.0) | 11 (44.0) | |||
Employment duration (yr) | 3.91±4.75 | 2.66±3.53 | 15.57 | .411 | |
Monthly income (10,000 won) | ≤299 | 8 (32.0) | 6 (24.0) | 0.82 | .664 |
300~399 | 8 (32.0) | 11 (44.0) | |||
≥400 | 9 (36.0) | 8 (32.0) |
Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group.
Homogeneity Test of Dependent Variables between Experimental and Control Group (
Variables | Exp. (n=25) | Cont. (n=25) | t | |
---|---|---|---|---|
M±SD | M±SD | |||
Stress | 66.56±10.93 | 64.44±13.25 | 0.62 | .540 |
Anxiety | 44.56±10.83 | 44.08±8.84 | 0.17 | .864 |
Depression | 13.00±7.21 | 11.80±5.56 | 0.66 | .513 |
SDNN | 25.08±12.62 | 24.29±9.60 | 0.25 | .804 |
LF Norm | 61.98±17.69 | 61.92±19.43 | 0.01 | .992 |
HF Norm | 38.02±17.69 | 38.28±18.84 | -0.05 | .960 |
LF/HF | 2.66±2.00 | 3.13±3.77 | -0.56 | .579 |
Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group; SDNN=standard deviation normal to normal interval; LF Norm=normalized low frequency; HF Norm=normalized high frequency; LF/HF=low frequency/high frequency.
Differences in Outcome Variables between Experimental and Control Group (
Characteristics | Groups | Pretest | Posttest | t( |
Difference score | t( |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M±SD | M±SD | M±SD | ||||
Stress | Exp. (n=25) | 66.56±10.93 | 60.48±10.65 | -5.10 (<.001) | ) -6.08±5.96 | -3.98(<.001) |
Cont. (n=25) | 64.44±13.25 | 64.88±12.44 | 0.39 (.699) | 0.44±5.63 | ||
Anxiety | Exp. (n=25) | 44.56±10.83 | 41.64±8.75 | -2.62 (.015) | -2.92±5.57 | -1.78(.081) |
Cont. (n=25) | 44.08±8.84 | 44.68±7.79 | 0.37 (.716) | 0.60±8.15 | ||
Depression | Exp. (n=25) | 13.00±7.21 | 11.40±6.97 | -1.96 (.062) | -1.60±4.09 | -1.07(.292) |
Cont. (n=25) | 11.80±5.56 | 11.60±4.90 | -0.20 (.847) | -0.20±5.14 | ||
SDNN | Exp. (n=25) | 25.08±12.62 | 32.89±16.43 | 2.14 (.042) | 7.81±18.22 | 1.61(.113) |
Cont. (n=25) | 24.29±9.60 | 25.41±7.85 | 0.57 (.571) | 1.13±9.82 | ||
LF Norm | Exp. (n=25) | 61.98±17.69 | 68.29±16.78 | 1.86 (.076) | 6.32±17.00 | -0.07(.947) |
Cont. (n=25) | 61.92±19.43 | 68.62±18.30 | 1.43 (.165) | 6.70±23.38 | ||
HF Norm | Exp. (n=25) | 38.02±17.69 | 31.71±16.78 | -1.86 (.076) | -6.32±17.00 | 0.11(.917) |
Cont. (n=25) | 38.28±18.84 | 31.38±18.30 | -1.54 (.137) | -6.91±22.43 | ||
LF/HF | Exp. (n=25) | 2.66±2.00 | 4.47±5.97 | 1.74 (.095) | 1.81±5.22 | 0.77(.448) |
Cont. (n=25) | 3.13±3.77 | 3.79±3.69 | 0.59 (.558) | 0.65±5.49 |
Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group; SDNN=standard deviation normal to normal interval; LF Norm=normalized low frequency; HF Norm=normalized high frequency; LF/HF=low frequency/high frequency.