Lavender Aromatherapy Sedation for IPM Procedures?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

drusso

Full Member
Moderator Emeritus
Lifetime Donor
Joined
Nov 21, 1998
Messages
12,586
Reaction score
7,005
Opioid sparing...Can you bill MAC?

Ochsner J. Winter 2021;21(4):358-363. doi: 10.31486/toj.21.0013.

Impact of Lavender on Pain and Anxiety Levels Associated With Spine Procedures

Maria Grabnar 1, Mary Joan Roach 1, Alaa Abd-Elsayed 2, Chong Kim 1
Affiliations expand
PMID: 34984050 PMCID: PMC8675619 DOI: 10.31486/toj.21.0013
Free PMC article

Abstract
Background: To reduce pain and anxiety associated with interventional pain procedures, sedation is often used, with benzodiazepines, opioids, and propofol the most commonly used classes of drugs for sedation. However, patient coherence and ability to communicate procedural pain and abnormal sensations help prevent adverse outcomes. Therefore, discovering alternative therapies to mitigate the anxiety and pain associated with these procedures and to minimize risk is important. The aim of our study was to investigate whether lavender has an effect on pain and anxiety associated with lumbar epidural steroid injections and lumbar medial branch blocks. Methods: In this randomized controlled study, 54 subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 intervention groups, and 46 patients were included in the final analysis: experimental lavender group (n=17), control almond oil group (n=15), and placebo sterile water group (n=14). Patients wore a mask infused with either lavender, almond oil, or water for 5 minutes prior to and during their procedure. Patients rated their anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory prior to and after the procedure based on how they felt during the procedure. Patients rated their pain according to the numerical rating scale. Outcome measures were a comparison of pain among the 3 groups and a comparison of the change in anxiety before and after the procedure among the 3 groups. Results: The lavender group demonstrated the highest mean change in anxiety scores (9.9) compared to almond oil (5.3) and water (3.6) preprocedurally vs postprocedurally. The lavender group also reported the lowest mean pain level (3.8) compared to almond oil (5.6) and water (5.6). However, none of the differences between groups showed statistical significance at the P<0.05 level. Conclusion: Lavender may have a clinically beneficial effect on anxiety levels and pain reduction.

Keywords: Anti-anxiety agents; aromatherapy; lavandula; pain management.

Members don't see this ad.
 
Interesting science fair project
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users
It apparently does have some significant effects.
There’s an oral lavender oil preparation called Silexan that showed comparable efficacy to a benzodiazepine in an RCT.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Missed the obvious CBD-oil infused masks
 
Time to start cannibalizing pain aromatherapy from those naturopaths
 
Top