Effect of orange peel essential oil on postpartum sleep quality: A randomized controlled clinical trial

IntroductionPregnancy and postpartum are two critical and stressful periods. Despite the joy of motherhood, these periods are sometimes associated with important physiological and pathological changes such as sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality. This study aimed to determine the effect of orange peel essential oil on sleep quality after delivery.MethodsThis triple-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 96 postpartum women. Verified samples were assigned to intervention and control groups using randomized blocking. The intervention group received 10 drops of orange peel essential oil and the control group received 10 drops of placebo in a glass of water, three times a day, after each meal for 8 weeks. All participants filled out the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index before and after the intervention.Results There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of socio-demographic characteristics sleep quality score before intervention (p > 0.05). A significant improvement in sleep quality was observed in the group receiving orange peel essential oil compared with the control group at 8 weeks after delivery [adjusted mean difference: 5.0; 95% confidence interval: 3.9 to 6.1; p = 0.001]. Regarding the components of the sleep quality index, there were statistically significant differences between the two groups except for the daytime dysfunction component (p < 0.05).ConclusionOrange peel essential oil has a positive effect in improving mothers' sleep quality in the postpartum period. However, further studies are needed on a more general population of women in order to decide on its use as an appropriate medication to use in clinical situations.