The effect of aromatherapy using sour lemon on nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy: A quasi experimental study

Objectives: One of the most important symptoms of patients undergoing chemotherapy is nausea. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of aromatherapy with sour lemon on nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: Fifty patients undergoing chemotherapy were assigned randomly to the experimental and placebo/control groups. The two groups was completed the Visual Analogue Scale for Nausea before the intervention as well as first to fourth week after starting the intervention. The intervention was performed during chemotherapy. Using a dropper, a paper towel was saturated with three drops of sour lemon essential oil. For the control group, 3 milliliters of water as placebo was spread on a paper towel. The intervention in the experimental and control/placebo groups was performed once a week for four weeks during weekly chemotherapy sessions. Results: At the beginning of the study, no significant difference was observed between the mean scores of nausea in the two groups (p> 0.05). The first to fourth weeks after starting the intervention, significant differences was observed between the mean scores of nausea in the two groups (p <0.05). The results of the Repeated Measures ANOVA indicated that, in the experimental group, the mean scores of nausea changed over time, indicating a mean score of nausea decrease over time (p <0.05). Discussion: Our findings indicated that aromatherapy with sour lemon can be effective in reducing nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy.