title: Reducing Pain and Anxiety during Second Trimester Genetic Amniocentesis Using Aromatic Therapy: A Randomized Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the benefit of aromatic therapy using menthol for decrease pain perception during amniocentesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective randomized study was conducted to compare pain level between groups ofpregnant women who underwent amniocentesis with and without aromatic therapy using menthol. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was usedfor pain assessment. The participants were askedfor their anticipated pain and anxiety level and level ofpain before and immediately after the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred seventeen pregnant women were recruited into the present study, 158 in the menthol group and 159 in the non-menthol group. Mean VAS score of the post-procedure pain and anxiety did not differ significantly between the two groups. Mean VAS score of the anticipated pain influenced the mean VAS score of the pre-procedure anxiety and post-procedure pain and anxiety irrespective of the group. Mean VAS score of the pre-procedure anxiety and post-procedure pain and anxiety increased about 0.3 cm for each 1 cm of increasing mean VAS score of anticipated pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aromatic therapy using menthol was not significantly effective in reducing pain and anxiety during second trimester genetic amniocentesis.
authors.forename: Tharangrut
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hanprasertpong
authors.forename: Ounjai
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kor-anantakul
authors.forename: Roengsak
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leetanaporn
authors.forename: Chitkasaem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Suwanrath
authors.forename: Thitima
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suntharasaj
authors.forename: Ninlapa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pruksanusak
authors.forename: Savitree
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pranpanus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D019341:Aromatherapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008610:Menthol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D008610:Menthol