The effect of inhaler aromatherapy accompanied with music on vital signs in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy

The aim of this study is to assess the effect of inhaler aromatherapy accompanied with music on vital signs and oxygen saturation in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy with the randomized controlled and experimental design. All the necessary permissions were obtained before starting the study. The patients meeting inclusion criteria of the study were randomized by using simple random sampling method, and were divided into two groups as intervention group and control group. The intervention groups consisted of three groups; the music (group 1: 30), the aromatherapy (group 2: 30), and the aromatherapy + music group (group 3: 30). Before the procedure, the music group was made to listen instrumental classical Turkish music in rast tune for ten minutes before the procedure through earphones and for five minutes during the procedure through the speaker due to the position given to the patient. In the aromatherapy group; a mixture was prepared by using lavender, chamomile, and neroli oil in the ratios of 6:2:0.5 and three drops from this mixture were dropped on the sponge and applied by placing on the shoulder of the patient through inhalation (for five minutes) before the procedure and during the procedure. In group 3, on the other hand, the patients were both made to listen to the music and applied with aromatherapy before and during the procedure. The data of the study were collected by using a questionnaire and vital follow-up form. The data were assessed through chi-square, student t, paired t, and two-factor analysis of variance with one repetitive factor. In all the groups, it was found that the pulse rate increased during the procedure compared to the period before the procedure; however, minimum increase was observed in music group and aromatherapy+music group, whereas maximum increase was observed in the control group (p<0.05). Similarly, it was found that the oxygen saturation decreased only in the control group during the procedure compared to the period before the procedure, and the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. It was observed that music and the inhaler aromatherapy accompanied with music affected pulse and blood pressure positively during the endoscopy, and prevented the decrease in oxygen saturation. Keywords: Endoscopy, music, inhaler aromatherapy, vital sign, nursing.