title: A Randomized Controlled Trial Provides Evidence to Support Aromatherapy to Minimize Anxiety in Women Undergoing Breast Biopsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aromatherapy has been used to reduce anxiety in a variety of settings, but usefulness associated with breast biopsies has not been documented.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted in women undergoing image-guided breast biopsy. We explored the use of two different aromatherapy scents, compared to placebo, aimed at reducing anxiety with the intent of generating new knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomized, placebo-controlled study of two different types of external aromatherapy tabs (lavender-sandalwood and orange-peppermint) compared with a matched placebo-control delivery system. Anxiety was self-reported before and after undergoing a breast biopsy using the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-seven women participated in this study. There was a statistically significant reduction in self-reported anxiety with the use of the lavender-sandalwood aromatherapy tab compared with the placebo group (p = .032). Aromatherapy tabs reduced anxiety during image-guided breast biopsy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The completion of the biopsy provided some relief from anxiety in all groups. The use of aromatherapy tabs offers an evidence-based nursing intervention to improve adaptation and reduce anxiety for women undergoing breast biopsy. Lavender-sandalwood aromatherapy reduced anxiety and promoted adaptation more than orange-peppermint aromatherapy or placebo.
authors.affiliation: Nurse Navigator, Rippel Breast Center, Morristown Medical Center (MMC), Morristown, NJ.
authors.forename: Renee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Trambert
authors.affiliation: Nurse Researcher, Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ.
authors.forename: Mildred Ortu
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.affiliation: Nurse Navigator, Rippel Breast Center, Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ.
authors.forename: Betty
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Fellow, Body and Muscular Skeletal Imaging, George Washington University Hospital, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Nimisha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.affiliation: Radiologist, Rippel Breast Center, Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Friedman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D019341:Aromatherapy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
keywords: Roy adaptation model; anxiety; aromatherapy; breast core biopsies; placebo; randomized