Effect of Aromatherapy on Anxiety in Colonoscopy Patients
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Lavender Aromatherapy, Bergamot Aromatherapy, Placebo Inhalation.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Anxiety, Colonoscopy, Aromatherapy. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Cyprus
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
The Effect of Lavender and Bergamot Aromatherapy Before Colonoscopy on Anxiety, Vital Signs, and Feelings of Embarrassment"
Overview
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of aromatherapy with lavender and bergamot essential oils on anxiety, vital signs, and feelings of embarrassment before colonoscopy. The findings of this study are expected to contribute both to filling a gap in the literature and to the planning of evidence-based nursing interventions aimed at minimizing pre-colonoscopy anxiety and embarrassment in patients.
Detailed description
In addition to being a painful and uncomfortable procedure, colonoscopy can cause anxiety and fear in patients due to procedure-related concerns, fear of a cancer diagnosis, and feelings of embarrassment resulting from perceived violations of privacy during the procedure. To alleviate patients' anxiety, fear, or embarrassment before colonoscopy, various non-pharmacological approaches, such as aromatherapy, are utilized. Aromatherapy, also known as essential oil therapy, is defined as "the art and science of using naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize, and promote the health of the body, mind, and spirit". Lavender and bergamot essential oils have been reported to have positive effects on anxiety in patients undergoing certain medical procedures, such as surgeries, childbirth, urodynamic testing, and endoscopic interventions. However, no study has yet evaluated the combined effects of aromatherapy with lavender and bergamot oils on anxiety, vital signs, and feelings of embarrassment in patients undergoing colonoscopy. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of aromatherapy with lavender and bergamot essential oils on anxiety, vital signs, and feelings of embarrassment before colonoscopy. The findings of this study are expected to contribute both to filling a gap in the literature and to the planning of evidence-based nursing interventions aimed at minimizing pre-colonoscopy anxiety and embarrassment in patients.
Interventions
- Other Lavender Aromatherapy
Participants will inhale lavender essential oil via cotton pads placed near the nose for 20 minutes prior to colonoscopy. The application will take place in a pre-procedure waiting area under nurse supervision. - Other Bergamot Aromatherapy
Participants will inhale bergamot essential oil through cotton pads placed near the nose for 20 minutes before the colonoscopy procedure, under the supervision of clinical staff. - Other Placebo Inhalation
Participants will inhale an odorless substance (distilled water) using the same method and duration as the intervention groups, to simulate the aromatherapy procedure.
Primary outcome measures
- Change in anxiety level measured by the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-State) [Time frame: Immediately before and 30 minutes after the intervention]
Secondary outcome measures (1)
- Change in embarrassment level measured by the Colonoscopy Embarrassment Scale [Time frame: Immediately after the colonoscopy procedure]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Patients over 18 years of age
- Patients undergoing a colonoscopy
- Patients capable of reading and understanding the study instructions
Exclusion criteria
- Patients who refused to participate in the study
- Patients who reported an allergy to any of the lavender or bergamot extracts used in the study
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Single blind
- Primary purpose
- Other
Study locations
Cyprus · 1 center
- Famagusta State Hospital — Famagusta
Publications
- Yue QQ, Feng GH, Peng T, Tang T, Sun YX, Meng XR, Huang LL, Zhao KH, Huang HL, Zeng Y. What is the current state of anxiety and its related factors in Chinese patients undergoing colonoscopy? A cross-sectional study. BMC Psychol. 2025 Feb 27;13(1):169. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-02463-z. PMID 40016795
- Peng W, McKinnon-Crowley J, Huang Q, Mao B. Assessing Fear, Embarrassment, and Disgust in Colonoscopy: The Development of Measurement Instruments and Psychometric Evidence. Health Educ Behav. 2024 Aug;51(4):601-612. doi: 10.1177/10901981231177075. Epub 2023 Jun 9. PMID 37293778
- Mutlu S, Yilmaz E, Sahin ST. The effect of position change and abdominal massage on anxiety, pain and distension after colonoscopy: A randomized clinical trial. Explore (NY). 2024 Jan-Feb;20(1):89-94. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2023.06.007. Epub 2023 Jun 20. PMID 37391282
- Dogan Yilmaz E, Unlusoy Dincer N. The Effects of Virtual Reality Glasses on Vital Signs and Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Colonoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Gastroenterol Nurs. 2023 Jul-Aug 01;46(4):318-328. doi: 10.1097/SGA.0000000000000733. Epub 2023 Jun 5. PMID 37278621
- Honig AJ, Galassi MG, Ogungbe OO, Uranga T, Cuevas DK. Implementation of Aromatherapy, a Nonpharmacological Intervention, to Reduce Anxiety During the Preoperative Period. J Perianesth Nurs. 2023 Apr;38(2):206-212. doi: 10.1016/j.jopan.2022.06.011. Epub 2023 Feb 1. PMID 36732122
- Kettas Dolek E, Altun Ugras G. The effect of aromatherapy during urodynamic testing on patients anxiety and cortisol levels: A randomized controlled trial. Neurourol Urodyn. 2024 Sep;43(7):1591-1599. doi: 10.1002/nau.25491. Epub 2024 May 15. PMID 38747020
- Ni CH, Hou WH, Kao CC, Chang ML, Yu LF, Wu CC, Chen C. The anxiolytic effect of aromatherapy on patients awaiting ambulatory surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:927419. doi: 10.1155/2013/927419. Epub 2013 Dec 17. PMID 24454517
- Keser E, Baglama SS, Sezer C. The Effect of Reiki and Aromatherapy on Vital Signs, Oxygen Saturation, and Anxiety Level in Patients Undergoing Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Study. Holist Nurs Pract. 2023 Nov-Dec 01;37(6):337-346. doi: 10.1097/HNP.0000000000000611. PMID 37851350
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07067424 · EY-Aroma2025-01