Lavender Aromatherapy for Anxiety and Pain During Multichannel Urodynamics: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Objective: Our objective was to determine if there is a difference in anxiety during urodynamics in women given lavender aromatherapy (lavender) versus placebo.

Methods: This was a randomized, controlled trial of women scheduled for urodynamic testing with baseline anxiety. Participants rated their anxiety and pain immediately before the examination and then were randomized to lavender or placebo. Anxiety and pain were assessed immediately after catheter placement and 15 minutes after termination of the study.

Results: Data for 40 women who received lavender and 38 women who received placebo were available for analysis. Decrease in anxiety from baseline to catheter placement (-2 vs -0.5, P = 0.01) and 15 minutes post procedure was significantly greater in the lavender group. Postprocedure anxiety was lower in the lavender group compared with controls (0 vs 0.5, P = 0.001). No differences were seen in pain.

Conclusions: Lavender aromatherapy reduces anxiety during urodynamics.