Aromatherapy Methods in Reducing Anxiety Before Breast Biopsy

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Two Different Aromatherapy Methods in Reducing Anxiety Before Breast Biopsy

A breast biopsy is a cause for anxiety for most women when faced with a diagnosis of breast cancer. Physiological and psychological effects of breast biopsy may continue in the pre-biopsy and post-biopsy period. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of two different aromatherapy methods applied in reducing anxiety before breast biopsy.

Anxiety level was evaluated according to objective criteria by pretesting and posttesting lavender, lavender-mint and odorless (placebo) aromatherapy tablets applied before the biopsy in patients scheduled for breast biopsy.

The study was conducted with 135 patients, 90 of whom were in the experimental group and 45 in the control group. Patients were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups according to their sequence numbers.

Before the biopsy, lavender aromatherapy and lavender-mint aromatherapy tablets were administered to the experimental group, and an odorless (placebo) aromatherapy tablet to the control group. Aromatherapy tablets 20 minutes after the procedure. First, a small (approximately 1x 0.5 inch), rectangular, absorbent, self-adhesive tablet containing 2 ml of lavender essential oil (10) was adhered to the patient's shoulder level. Research data were collected with the "Spielberger State Anxiety Scale" to determine the level of anxiety before and after breast biopsy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• over 18 years old
• Female patients scheduled for breast biopsy (stereotactic biopsy, ultrasound biopsy, magnetic resonance imaging biopsy)
• Individuals who can speak, understand and communicate in Turkish will be included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant and lactating women,
• Patients who are allergic to plants (lavender/lavender-mint),
• Patients with a diagnosis of psychiatric illness, migraine, chronic headache or sense of smell
• Patients who have difficulty breathing through their nose
• People who can't smell, who are sensitive to smells or smells
• Patients with a history of asthma, epilepsy or seizures as a precaution.
• Patients with active wheezing
• Patients with cognitive, verbal or hearing problems that may affect communication