Abstract

PURPOSE
The study was done to analyze the effects of aroma inhalation method on preoperative anxiety of abdominal surgical patients.
METHODS
The research design was a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. The data were collected from July 25 to October 21, 2005 at C Medical Center in Seoul. The patients were divided into two group of 24 subjects each. In order for measuring the all patient's anxiety before operation and aroma inhalation, Spidlberger(1975) trait anxiety, VAS(visual analogue scale) state anxiety, blood pressure, pulse rate were taken. After experimental group was taken aroma inhalation, VAS state anxiety, blood pressure, pulse rate were measured for two group.
RESULTS
After aroma inhalation, VAS state anxiety level, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate of the experimental group were decreased significantly than those of control group(p = .000, p = .000, p = .030. p = .000).
CONCLUSION
The aroma inhalation method can be considered an effective nursing intervention that relieves the preoperative anxiety of abdominal surgical patients and stabilizes vital signs.

• Keywords: Aromatherapy; Anxiety; Abdominal surgery