The Use of Lavender Aromatherapy for Pain After Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Trial.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2023

Publication Title

Orthopedic nursing

Abstract

A randomized clinical trial was conducted over a threemonth period with 102 participants undergoing a total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The study purpose was to assess whether there was a reduction in the use of opioids in the postoperative period for THA or TKA participants that utilized lavender aromatherapy as an adjunct to pain medication. The participants in the control and intervention group were administered nonopioid pain medication around the clock and opioids as needed after surgery. However, the intervention group also received a pre-packaged lavender essential oil inhaler. Total oral morphine equivalents (OME) were calculated for each participant to determine opioid usage. Although the total OME was similar for the groups overall, the total OME was slightly lower for THA patients that were enrolled in the intervention group (median 22.5) compared to THA patients that were enrolled in the control group (median 31.2). In the intervention group, 58% of participants reported that the lavender inhaler was a useful tool for pain management and 76% indicated they would continue to use the lavender inhaler after discharge.

Volume

42

Issue

4

First Page

230

Last Page

242

DOI

10.1097/NOR.0000000000000956

ISSN

1542-538X

PubMed ID

37494903

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