Aromatherapy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Fatigue is a common complication of hemodialysis. This study aimed to compare the effects of aromatherapy with essential oils of lavender and orange on the fatigue of hemodialysis patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety subjects were randomly allocated into three groups of aromatherapy with lavender essential oil, aromatherapy with orange essential oil and control. Data collection tool was the Fatigue Severity Scale. In each experimental group, subjects inhaled five drops of lavender essential oil and orange essential oil.

RESULTS: The difference in the mean of fatigue before and after the intervention in each of the experimental groups was statistically significant, but this difference was not significant in the control group. Between the two groups of aromatherapy, no significant difference was observed in terms of the mean fatigue after the intervention.

CONCLUSION: Aromatherapy with lavender essential oil and orange essential oil might reduce fatigue in hemodialysis patients.