Lavender-thymol as a new topical aromatherapy preparation for episiotomy: A randomised clinical trial.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of topical lavender-thymol in promoting episiotomy healing. This placebo-controlled, single-blinded, randomised clinical trial involved 60 primiparous women. REEDA score was used to evaluate the outcome of the trial. On the 7th post-partum day, women in Placebo-treated group had worse Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge and Approximation (REEDA) score of 3.93 ± 3.65 compared with those in Lavender-thymol-treated group (2.03 ± 1.7) with significant difference (P = 0.013). Visual analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain at episiotomy in Lavender-thymol-treated group was 3.5 ± 1.9, whereas in Placebo-treated group it was 2.1 ± 2.2 (p = 0.011) for dyschezia, 3.8 ± 1.7 and 2.8 ± 1.6 in Placebo- and Lavender-thymol-treated women, respectively (p = 0.023). At 7th post-partum week, dyspareunia was more severe in Placebo-treated group compared with that in Lavender-thymol-treated group (5.3 ± 2.7 vs 2.7 ± 1.5 and p < 0.001). Topical aromatherapy using lavender-thymol was highly effective, suitable and safe for episiotomy wound care with little or no expected side effects compared with that using placebo.
a Department of Maternity and Gynecology of Nursing , Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University , Egypt.
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Marzouk
b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University , Egypt.
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Barakat
b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University , Egypt.
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Ragab
c Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants , Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University , Egypt.
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Badria
b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University , Egypt.
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Badawy
D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019341:Aromatherapy; D004841:Episiotomy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D027523:Lavandula; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013943:Thymol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; D013943:Thymol; C045718:lavender oil
Aromatherapy; episiotomy; lavender-thymol; pain