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

ObjectiveThe 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.MethodA 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.ResultsMean 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).ConclusionAromatherapy with Lavender essence helped to reduce pain severity of intravenous catheter insertion in children.