Effects of rose and lavender scents on nurses' job stress: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction: A high percentage of nurses working in hospitals suffer from job stress and related psychological problems. This study aimed to examine and compare the effects of aromatherapy using lavender and rose essential oils on nurses’ job stress. Materials and methods: This randomized placebo controlled trial was conducted on 118 eligible nurses who were randomly assigned into three groups of lavender (n = 39), rose (n = 40), and sesame seed as placebo (n = 39). The nurses received lavender and rose scents for two hours a day during four weeks. The Gray-Toft and Anderson's Nursing Stress Scale (NSS) was used to measure job stress before the interventions on the first day, and at the end of the second and fourth weeks. Descriptive and inferential statistics tests were used for data analysis. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: No statistically significant differences between the groups in job stress before the interventions and at the end of the second week were observed. There were statistically significant differences between the groups at the end of the fourth week (p <0.003). Aromatherapy using rose scent had a positive effect on the nurses’ job stress at the end of the fourth week compared to the placebo (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Aromatherapy using rose scent is a safe and non-pharmacologic method that can be used by nurses for improving their own comfort at the workplace. It can reduce nurses’ overreliance on medications for relieving the symptoms of job stress.