Comparison of the effect of aromatherapy with geranium and lemon essential oil on situational anxiety and physiological Indices of patients after coronary angioplasty

Introduction: Postoperative anxiety, such as coronary artery bypass graft surgery, is one of the most common stressors in this group of patients, which can endanger their physical and mental health. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of aromatherapy with geranium and lemon essential oil on situational anxiety and physiological indices of patients after coronary angioplasty. Materials and methods: In this placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial study, 150 patients undergoing coronary angioplasty were selected by convenience sampling method and obtained with informed written consent. By randomization, they were divided into three groups: geranium essential oil, lemon essential oil and control group. Patients' anxiety was measured using a situational anxiety questionnaire before and after the intervention. Also, physiological indices of patients were measured before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed at both descriptive and inferential levels (analysis of covariance and Kruskal-Wallis) using SPSS version 22. Results: The effect of aromatherapy with geranium essential oil on reducing anxiety (35.94±8.64) patients was significantly greater than aromatherapy with lemon essential oil (44.16±8.72) and almond oil (41.14±5.08) (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the effect of aromatherapy with almond oil (41.14±5.08) and lemon essential oil (44.16±8.72) in reducing patients' anxiety (P = 0.241). Also, the effect of aromatherapy with geranium essential oil on reducing pulse rate and systolic blood pressure was significantly greater than aromatherapy with lemon essential oil (p <0.001). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study on the effect of aromatherapy on anxiety in patients after angioplasty, it is recommended to use aromatherapy as a complementary and low-risk treatment to reduce anxiety in this group of patients.