The psychophysiological effects of aromatherapy massage following cardiac surgery

Aromatherapy and massage have gained wide popularity amongst nurses in their clinical practice in recent years. The intensive care setting offers a challenge to nurses to meet the psychological and physical needs of the patient within a highly technological environment. A randomised controlled trial was conducted to assess the effects of aromatherapy and massage on post-cardiac surgery patients. Foot massage given over 20 min, with or without the essential oil of neroli, on day 1 postoperatively showed that a statistically significant psychological benefit was derived from both the groups receiving massage, compared to controls; however, significant physiological differences were limited to respiratory rate as an immediate effect of massage with or without the essential oil. A further follow-up questionnaire on day 5 post surgery indicated a trend towards greater and more lasting psychological benefit from the massage with the neroli oil compared to the plain vegetable oil.