Effect of Aromatherapy on Anxiety in Colonoscopy Patients

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Anxiety; Colonoscopy; Aromatherapy

• Registration Number: NCT07067424
• Lead Sponsor: Eastern Mediterranean University

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of aromatherapy with lavender and bergamot essential oils on anxiety, vital signs, and feelings of embarrassment before colonoscopy. The findings of this study are expected to contribute both to filling a gap in the literature and to the planning of evidence-based nursing interventions aimed at minimizing pre-colonoscopy anxiety and embarrassment in patients.

Detailed Description

In addition to being a painful and uncomfortable procedure, colonoscopy can cause anxiety and fear in patients due to procedure-related concerns, fear of a cancer diagnosis, and feelings of embarrassment resulting from perceived violations of privacy during the procedure. To alleviate patients' anxiety, fear, or embarrassment before colonoscopy, various non-pharmacological approaches, such as aromatherapy, are utilized. Aromatherapy, also known as essential oil therapy, is defined as "the art and science of using naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize, and promote the health of the body, mind, and spirit". Lavender and bergamot essential oils have been reported to have positive effects on anxiety in patients undergoing certain medical procedures, such as surgeries, childbirth, urodynamic testing, and endoscopic interventions. However, no study has yet evaluated the combined effects of aromatherapy with lavender and bergamot oils on anxiety, vital signs, and feelings of embarrassment in patients undergoing colonoscopy. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of aromatherapy with lavender and bergamot essential oils on anxiety, vital signs, and feelings of embarrassment before colonoscopy. The findings of this study are expected to contribute both to filling a gap in the literature and to the planning of evidence-based nursing interventions aimed at minimizing pre-colonoscopy anxiety and embarrassment in patients.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2025-01-01
• Status Verified: 2025-07
• Study First Submitted: 2025-07-14
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-07-15
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-07-15
• Study First Posted: 2025-07-16
• Last Update Posted: 2025-07-16
• Primary Completion: 2025-10-31
• Study Completion: 2025-11-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 102

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients over 18 years of age
• Patients undergoing a colonoscopy
• Patients capable of reading and understanding the study instructions

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients who refused to participate in the study
• Patients who reported an allergy to any of the lavender or bergamot extracts used in the study

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in anxiety level measured by the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-State)	Immediately before and 30 minutes after the intervention	Anxiety will be assessed using the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-State), which consists of 20 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale. The total score ranges from 20 to 80, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety. The scale has been validated in Turkish with a Cronbach's alpha between 0.94 and 0.96.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in embarrassment level measured by the Colonoscopy Embarrassment Scale	Immediately after the colonoscopy procedure	Embarrassment related to colonoscopy will be measured using the 15-item Colonoscopy Embarrassment Scale, with scores ranging from 15 to 60. Higher scores indicate greater embarrassment. The Turkish version has a Cronbach's alpha of 0.94.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Famagusta State Hospital; 🇨🇾 Famagusta, Cyprus