Aromatherapy on Anxiety, Pain, and Quality of Life Following Surgery of Mandibular Third Molars: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

Abstract

Background: The control of anxiety is significant in the management of mandibular third molar removal surgery and may impact patients' pain.

Purpose: This study aimed to measure the effects of aromatherapy on the control of anxiety, pain, and quality of life in lower third molar removal surgery.

Study design: From 2023 to 2024, a double-blinded randomized clinical trial was performed on patients with indications for removal of unilateral mandibular third molars at our institution. Subjects were excluded if they received additional mandibular teeth extractions, were unable to complete the questionnaire, or had medical contraindications.

Predictor variable: The predictor variable is aromatherapy exposure, and subjects were randomly assigned to lavender oil or distilled water. Each patient underwent an aromatherapy session in a closed room, with the diffuser turned on 30 minutes before the patient's entry following its use during the operation.

Main outcome variables: The outcome variables were pain measured using a visual analog scale, anxiety measured using the Dental Anxiety Scale questionnaire, and quality of life measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire. The outcomes were measured preoperatively and 7 days after the operation.

Covariates: The covariates are hemodynamic parameters, sex, age, race, educational level, and family income.

Analyses: Mann-Whitney independent test (between groups) or Friedman/Dunn and Wilcoxon's test (intragroup analysis); the statistical significance was set at P < .05.

Results: The study sample included 32 patients (17 female [53%] and 15 male [47%], mean age 24.72 ± 4.63 years). The peak of pain in both groups was observed 2 hours after surgery, with a reduction after 12 hours, and there were no differences between the 2 groups about pain (P = .9). Regarding anxiety control and hemodynamic parameters, there was an improvement in both groups, with a reduction of 2 points in the score (P = .011).

Conclusions: Aromatherapy is not statistically significantly effective compared to distilled water in reducing pain and improving quality of life. However, it showed favorable results in reducing anxiety and hemodynamic parameters.