Effects of Controlled Breathing, With or Without Aromatherapy, in the Treatment of Postoperative Nausea

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of controlled breathing (CB), with and without aromatherapy (isopropyl alcohol [IPA]), in the treatment of postoperative nausea (PON) in adult females undergoing elective outpatient laparoscopic procedures.

Design: A prospective randomized two-group quasi-experimental design was used.

Methods: A convenience sample was used. Patients were consented and assigned to either a control (CB) or treatment (IPA) group. Symptomatic patients rated nausea severity before and at 2 and 5 minutes after receiving either CB or CB with IPA.

Findings: Complete data for one episode of nausea were obtained on 82 patients (41 in each group). Results showed that although nausea severity decreased significantly over time, there was no significant difference in PON treatment effectiveness between the two groups, nor was there a difference in requests for rescue medications.

Conclusions: Patients who experience PON should be encouraged to take slow deep breaths as an initial response to symptoms. This approach has no side effects or costs and could also aid the patient to self-manage symptoms after discharge.