Controlled breathing with or without peppermint aromatherapy for postoperative nausea and/or vomiting symptom relief: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
With little scientific evidence to support use of aromatherapy for postoperative nausea and/or vomiting (PONV) symptoms, this study evaluated controlled breathing with peppermint aromatherapy (AR) and controlled breathing alone (CB) for PONV relief.


METHODS
A single blind randomized control trial design was used.


METHODS
On initial PONV complaint, symptomatic subjects received either CB (n = 16) or AR (n = 26) intervention based on randomization at enrollment. A second treatment was repeated at 5 minutes if indicated. Final assessment occurred 10 minutes post initial treatment. Rescue medication was offered for persistent symptoms.


RESULTS
Among eligible subjects, PONV incidence was 21.4% (42/196). Gender was the only risk factor contributing to PONV symptoms (P = .0024). Though not statistically significant, CB was more efficacious than AR, 62.5% versus 57.7%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
CB can be initiated without delay as an alternative to prescribed antiemetics. Data also support use of peppermint AR in conjunction with CB for PONV relief.
Debra S
DS
Sites
Nancy T
NT
Johnson
Jacqueline A
JA
Miller
Pauline H
PH
Torbush
Janis S
JS
Hardin
Susan S
SS
Knowles
Jennifer
J
Nance
Tara H
TH
Fox
Rebecca Creech
RC
Tart
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019341:Aromatherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036142:Mentha piperita; D008875:Middle Aged; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012119:Respiration; D055815:Young Adult
aromatherapy; controlled breathing; peppermint; postoperative nausea and/or vomiting