The Use of Aromatherapy in Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review.

J Perianesth Nurs. 2019 Jun;34(3):502-516. doi: 10.1016/j.jopan.2018.08.006. Epub 2018 Dec 29.


Author Information: Asay K, Olson C, Donnelly J, Perlman E.


PURPOSE: To evaluate the following question: In adult surgical patients, does the use of aromatherapy affect the incidence of nausea and vomiting postoperatively?


DESIGN: Systematic review of research focusing on aromatherapy and the effect on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in adult surgical patients.


METHODS: A search of Medline, PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Literature, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria yielded five randomized controlled trials.


FINDINGS: The overall synthesis of evidence supports the use of aromatherapy in PONV. Aromatherapy has a positive effect on PONV, and therefore should be considered as a complementary therapy or as an adjunct to antiemetic medications.


CONCLUSIONS: Aromatherapy is one modality that should be considered as a treatment for PONV in adult surgical patients. More research should be conducted to provide additional support in the use of aromatherapy for PONV. Future research could aim at standardizing a nausea scale that would provide more reliable and valid results in studies that research PONV.


Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

PMID: 30600134 DOI: 10.1016/j.jopan.2018.08.006