Aromatherapy and anxiety in a dental waiting room: an N-of-1 crossover study

Inhalation of Lavender Essential Oil for the Management of Anxiety and Pain During Dental Procedures: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the lavender essential oil effects on pain and anxiety in dental patients. Material and Methods: Forty patients, aged 18-60 years, undergoing dental procedures were randomly assigned to lavender essential oil (experimental group; n=20) or negative control (n = 20). In the essential oil group, participants inhaled pure lavender essential oil under supervision 5 times, 15 minutes before the dental procedure, directly from the bottle held at a distance of 15 cm. In the negative control group, participants inhaled five times, under supervision, a hydroalcoholic solution directly from the bottle held at a distance of 15 cm, 15 minutes before the dental procedure. Pain was assessed with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and anxiety with the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS). Results: Baseline anxiety ranged from mild (6-10) to moderate (11-15), with no spontaneous pain (score 0). Both groups reported mild treatment-related pain (VAS: 1.2 experimental vs 1.7 control; p > 0.05). The experimental group showed significantly greater anxiety reduction post-treatment (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Lavender inhalation positively modulates pain perception and significantly reduces anxiety, suggesting a cost-effective adjunct in routine dental practice.

ADDRESSING DENTAL PHOBIA TO IMPROVE ORAL HEALTH: EVIDENCE FROM A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY IN PUNJAB

Background: Despite increasing awareness about oral health needs and treatment-seeking behaviors, dental phobia often leads to the avoidance of dental care; therefore, it warrants clinical intervention aimed at reducing the fear. Aim: Current research aimed to assess the efficacy of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) in reducing adults in Punjab. Methods: Initially, 1000 participants, 919 females and 81 males, were selected for the study through a purposive sampling strategy. For pre-assessment, participants were given the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS)1 along with a demographic performa. Participants whose scores were within the moderate (9-12) or high (13-14) range of dental phobia were considered eligible for the intervention phase. Screening indicated that 108 participants had moderate dental anxiety and 189 had high dental phobia, resulting in 297 participants being eligible for the intervention phase. Only 20 participants provided informed consent for the therapy sessions. Results: The results of the study revealed that the scores of the participants reduced significantly after the intervention***p<.001. Conclusion: The results of the study suggested that it is incumbent on dental practitioners to integrate CBT-based interventions into their routine practice to improve overall health care outcomes for the patients.

Non-pharmacological and physical strategies for managing dental anxiety: a systematic review with implications for dental education

Objectives Dental anxiety remains a significant barrier to effective oral healthcare, contributing to treatment avoidance and poorer clinical outcomes. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological and physical interventions in reducing dental anxiety and improving patient cooperation. Methods A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, and Google Scholar for studies published between 1971 and 2024. Randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental, and observational studies assessing non-pharmacological or technology-assisted interventions in children and adults were included. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE framework. Results A total of 126 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Interventions were grouped into three categories: technological/physical (e.g., computer-controlled anesthesia, Er:YAG laser, TENS), sensory-relaxation (e.g., aromatherapy, breathing techniques, hypnosis), and digital/interactive (e.g., mobile applications, audiovisual distraction, humanoid robots). The majority of studies reported reductions in anxiety or improvements in patient cooperation. The strongest evidence supported computer-controlled anesthesia systems while moderate-certainty evidence was identified for aromatherapy, laser-based interventions, and audiovisual distraction. Several additional interventions demonstrated potentially beneficial effects, although the certainty of evidence remained limited due to methodological weaknesses. Conclusion Non-pharmacological and physical interventions can effectively reduce dental anxiety and enhance treatment acceptance across diverse patient populations. Integrating these strategies into routine clinical practice and dental education may improve patient-centered care and reduce reliance on pharmacological methods. Further high-quality studies are needed to confirm long-term effectiveness and support implementation. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251229878, identifier CRD420251229878.

Effect of music listening on anxiety, stress, and pain during frenectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

Application Of Hand Massage Using Olive Oil And Jasmine To Reduce Anxiety Levels In Families Of Critical Patients

The care of critically ill patients in the ICU not only affects the patients’ condition but also places significant psychological strain on their families, particularly in the form of anxiety. Unmanaged anxiety can affect families’ ability to make decisions and participate in the care process. Non-pharmacological interventions such as hand massage and aromatherapy are potential approaches for reducing anxiety. This study aims to analyse the effectiveness of hand massage using olive and jasmine oils in reducing anxiety levels among the families of critically ill patients. The study employed a case study design with a pre-test and post-test approach involving 12 family members of patients in the ICU. The intervention was administered daily for three consecutive days, with each session lasting 15–30 minutes. Anxiety levels were measured using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS). The results showed that prior to the intervention, the majority of respondents experienced severe anxiety (50%) and moderate anxiety (25%). Following the intervention, there was a reduction in anxiety, characterised by an increase in the ‘not anxious’ category (33.3%) and the ‘mild’ category (41.7%), as well as a decrease in severe anxiety to 8.3%, with no cases of panic observed. The mean anxiety score decreased from 2.58 ± 0.99 to 1.00 ± 1.04. It was concluded that hand massage with olive and jasmine oil is effective in reducing anxiety among the families of critically ill patients. This intervention may serve as an alternative non-pharmacological therapy in family-centred care nursing practice.

Aromatherapy to Reduce Stress in Nurses: A Pilot Study.

Purpose of StudyThis pilot study evaluated the feasibility and estimated the effect size of an intervention using direct-inhalation aromatherapy personal nasal inhalers as a potential complementary modality to support nurse well-being, resilience, and the capacity to provide compassionate care by reducing perceived stress in the workplace.Design of StudyNon-randomized, pre-post intervention pilot design.Methods UsedNurses were recruited from 11 clinical sites. Participants used a nasal inhaler containing a blend of lavender, frankincense, and bergamot essential oils over a 2-week intervention period. Stress was measured using weekly self-report surveys and the 4-item perceived stress scale (PSS-4) at baseline and post-intervention.FindingsFifty-nine nurses (registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses) from inpatient and outpatient settings participated. The sample was predominantly female, aged 45-54, primarily of Asian descent, with bachelor's prepared, with 16-20 years of experience, and largely working in primary care. The primary outcome showed a 0.76-point reduction in PSS-4 scores. Secondary outcomes demonstrated reductions in self-reported stress. Implementation and outcome measurement were feasible across diverse clinical environments.ConclusionsDirect-inhalation aromatherapy may offer a low-cost intervention with the potential to enhance nurse well-being and reduce stress. A future hypothesis-testing trial is feasible with respect to intervention delivery, outcome measurement, and sample size.Trial RegistrationPRS review pending with clinicaltrials.gov (Unique protocol ID:1782433-3).