Abstract

Pain and impaired blood pressure are of the common postoperative complaints. Aromatherapy releases endorphins in the brain and forms a sense of well-being. Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) is a sedative and sleep aid plant. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Citrus aurantium on pain intensity and blood pressure during gastrectomy. In the present study, 76 patients undergoing gastrectomy were selected by convenience sampling and randomly divided into two groups of 38 each. The intervention group received aromatherapy in the recovery room, in addition to routine postoperative care and the control group received placebo. Data collection tools included demographic profile questionnaire, numerical pain rating scale and physiological index record sheet. Blood pressure and pain intensity of patients were measured and recorded before the intervention, 30 min and 60 min after the intervention. Data were analyzed by statistical package for the social sciences software using descriptive and inferential tests at a significance level of p˂0.05. The mean blood pressure before the intervention was 123.41±9.03 mm/Hg in the treatment group and 121.71±9.31 mm/Hg in the control group. The mean pain before the intervention was 6.02±0.84 in the treatment group and 5.83±0.43 in the control group. Statistical analysis showed that the treatment group had a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure at the two intervention times. In addition, the treatment group experienced a decrease in pain intensity at three times, with a mean rank of 3.32 before the intervention, 2.52 half an hour later and 1.42 an hour later. The postoperative aromatherapy with Citrus aurantium was effective in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure and relieving pain. This simple, uncomplicated, non-invasive and inexpensive method is recommended for use in controlling postoperative pain.