Investigating the Effect of Lavender on the Level of Sedation in Hospitalized Children in the ICU

INTERVENTION: Intervention 1: Intervention group: In the intervention group, in addition to the routine care provided in the intensive care unit (for controlling anxiety and agitation, which includes the use of sedatives such as benzodiazepines—e.g., midazolam at an initial dose of 0.1 mg/kg and a maintenance dose of 0.05 mg/kg/h, or lorazepam at an initial dose of 0.05 mg/kg—and haloperidol at an initial dose of 0.04 mg/kg and a maintenance dose of 0.05 mg/kg/day if agitation occurs, based on physician’s orders), lavender oil is also used to manage anxiety. The method involves soaking gauze with 5 drops of lavender extract (lavender essential oil from Royaye Salamat Company) at a 2% concentration, with a final linalool concentration of 0.5%. The gauze is placed 10 cm from the patient’s collar every 8 hours, and the patient inhales the vapor for 30 minutes. This intervention will be repeated three times per patient and will last a total of 24 hours. Intervention 2: Control group: In addition to routine intensive care unit (ICU) care (to manage anxiety and agitation, including the use of sedative benzodiazepines such as midazolam at an initial dose of 0.1 mg/kg and maintenance dose of 0.05 mg/kg/h, or lorazepam at an initial dose of 0.05 mg/kg, and haloperidol at an initial dose of 0.04 mg/kg and maintenance dose of 0.05 mg/kg/day if agitation occurs, as per physician’s order), patients will receive a placebo (distilled water) to control anxiety. The method is as follows: 5 drops of distilled water are applied to gauze, which is then attached to the patient’s collar at a distance of 10 cm, every eight hours. The patient inhales from it for 30 minutes. This intervention will be repeated three times per patient and will last a total of 24 hours. CONDITION: Agitation rate. ; Anxiety disorder, unspecified F41.9 PRIMARY OUTCOME: Aromatherapy. Timepoint: At the beginning and end of the intervention. Method of measurement: Charted information. RASS (Richmond Agitation‐Sedation Scale) SCORE. Timepoint: At 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after the start of the intervention. Method of measurement: RASS table. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Age. Timepoint: At the beginning of the intervention. Method of measurement: File information. BMI. Timepoint: At the beginning of the intervention. Method of measurement: File information. Gender. Timepoint: At the beginning of the intervention. Method of measurement: File information. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Age 12 to 18 years GCS greater than or equal to 8 Admitted to intensive care units (ICU) Patient extubated at the time of study entry Hemodynamic stability No known history of hypersensitivity to lavender or other aromatic herbal compounds No history of chronic respiratory diseases No clinical signs or diagnosis of active pulmonary aspiration No primary or secondary immunodeficiency disorders Having a normal sense of smell Written informed consent from the patient’s parent or legal guardian