The purpose of this randomized controlled study is to explore whether lavender sandalwood aromatherapy can support comfort, mood, pain relief, and overall satisfaction for participants recovering from a scheduled cesarean section without complications. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * How does lavender sandalwood aromatherapy affect participants' mood during postpartum recovery after a cesarean section? * Does lavender sandalwood aromatherapy help reduce pain during recovery? * Does lavender sandalwood aromatherapy improve participants' overall satisfaction with their recovery experience? Researchers will compare participants who receive lavender-sandalwood aromatherapy with those who do not to determine whether it improves mood, reduces pain, and enhances patient satisfaction. Participants will be asked to: * Wear aromatherapy tabs on their gown for 24 hours. * Have the aromatherapy tabs applied 24 hours after the cesarean section and removed 48 hours after the cesarean section. * Complete surveys at 24 hours and 48 hours after the cesarean section. This will apply to both the control and intervention groups.
Aromatherapy represents a holistic, patient-centered approach designed to enhance comfort, relaxation, and sleep for individuals receiving medical care. This method is both cost-effective and associated with minimal side effects, making it an appealing option as a complementary therapy. For centuries, essential oils have been incorporated into care routines to help relieve a variety of symptoms, including pain, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Their use is especially prominent during significant life events such as pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period, where they support emotional and physical well-being. This randomized controlled trial has been designed to assess the therapeutic effects of Lavender Sandalwood Elequil Aromatabs in women scheduled for planned cesarean sections. In this study, participants in the experimental group will receive self-adhesive aromatherapy tabs containing a blend of lavender and sandalwood essential oils. These tabs are conveniently placed on hospital gowns and are intended to deliver continuous aromatic benefits for up to 24 hours following surgery, in addition to the standard post-operative care provided. Participants in the control group, on the other hand, will receive only the standard care without aromatherapy exposure. The primary objectives of this study are to evaluate changes in emotional well-being, pain perception, and overall patient satisfaction among cesarean-section patients. Emotional states will be measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), which captures both positive and negative mood dimensions. Pain levels will be assessed with the Defense Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS), a validated tool for quantifying pain intensity. Additionally, the Net Promoter Score (NPS) will be used to gauge patient satisfaction with their care experience. Collectively, these measures will offer comprehensive insights into how aromatherapy may contribute to improved recovery and holistic well-being during the post-surgical period.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
182
The intervention used in this study consists of aromatherapy tabs infused with lavender and sandalwood essential oils. These aromatabs are administered to participants following their cesarean section procedures to evaluate their effectiveness in managing postoperative pain. The choice of lavender and sandalwood is based on their widely recognized calming and analgesic properties, with the goal of providing non-pharmacological support for pain relief. Participants in the experimental group will receive these aromatabs according to the study protocol, allowing for a clear comparison of outcomes between the aromatherapy intervention and the control group.
Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center
Houston, Texas, United States
PANAS survey to measure mood
The primary outcome of this study focuses on evaluating participants' emotional well-being by utilizing the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). This assessment tool will be administered twice: first, at the baseline 24 hours after delivery, and then again at 48 hours following surgery. By comparing PANAS results from these two time points, the study aims to capture any changes in both positive and negative mood dimensions that may occur as a result of the intervention. This approach provides a comprehensive analysis of how the aromatherapy tabs may influence mood and emotional states during the immediate postoperative recovery period.
Time frame: The period begins when you enroll and ends when you are discharged, and usually covers a timeframe of three to six days.
DVPRS to Measure Pain and Patient Satisfaction
Pain assessment will use the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS) at two intervals-around 24 hours after cesarean section (±4 hours), and at 48 hours post-surgery or before hospital discharge (within a 4-hour window, or at the last pain score before discharge if earlier). This method evaluates the effectiveness of aromatherapy in both control and experimental groups.
Time frame: The period begins when the participants enroll and ends when they are discharged, and usually covers a timeframe of three to six days.
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