The Effect of Sweet Orange Aromatherapy on Anxiety and Pulse Level of Nurse Students

This randomized controlled study examined the effect of sweet orange essential oil aromatherapy on reducing anxiety experienced by nursing students during the IV cannulation process. First-year nursing students from a university in eastern Turkey participated in the study. According to the sample size determined by G*Power analysis, 100 students were randomized, and the study was completed with 47 students in the experimental group and 48 students in the control group.

All students were taught IV cannulation skills theoretically and practically. Subsequently, students in the experimental group performed IV cannulation on real patients after receiving aromatherapy. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, a Pulse Monitoring Form, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).

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Key information

Conditions

University Students Anxiety Disorders Mental Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Inonu university

Malatya, 44280, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of sweet orange essential oil aromatherapy in reducing anxiety among nursing students during the IV cannulation procedure. The study was conducted with first-year nursing students enrolled in the nursing department of a university in eastern Turkey. The sample size was determined using G*Power analysis, and a total of 100 students were randomized into two groups. The study was completed with 47 students in the experimental group and 48 students in the control group.

All participants received standardized theoretical and practical training on IV cannulation. Following the training, students in the experimental group were exposed to sweet orange essential oil aromatherapy before performing IV cannulation on real patients, while those in the control group proceeded with the procedure without aromatherapy intervention.

Data collection tools included a Personal Information Form, a Pulse Monitoring Form to track physiological responses, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to assess anxiety levels. The study aimed to determine whether aromatherapy could serve as an effective non-pharmacological strategy for alleviating procedural anxiety among nursing students.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Being actively enrolled in school, not having performed an IV cannulation before, taking the Basic Principles and Fundamentals in Nursing I course, and not having any health issues that would prevent inhaling sweet orange oil.

Exclusion criteria

Not volunteering to participate in the study, not being actively enrolled in school, and having any health issues that would prevent inhaling sweet orange oil.

Treatment and study plan

Sweet orange essential oil aromatherapy

Other

The sweet orange essential oil used in the study was prepared by the Food Engineering Department of Fırat University. To obtain the essential oil used for aromatherapy in this study, the peels of Citrus sinensis sweet oranges were utilized. The orange peels were cut into small pieces of approximately 3-5 mm in size, placed into a boiling flask, and distilled water was added. Based on the analysis results, the percentage composition of the total essential oil fatty acids was determined. The chemical composition analysis revealed that D-limonene was the major component, comprising 90% of the total oil. The oil is 100% pure essential oil, containing up to 90% D-limonene, along with citral and linalool. A cotton ball infused with three drops of sweet orange essential oil was held 4 to 5 cm away from the student's nose, and they were instructed to breathe slowly for five minutes. After this, the students were asked to perform IV cannulation on the patient.

Other names: Sweet orange aromatherapy

Primary outcomes

The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)

Time frame: 3 month

developed by Spielberger and colleagues in 1970, was adapted into Turkish by Öner and LeCompte. This four-point Likert scale consists of 20 short statements, 10 of which are reverse-coded. In the scale, the total score from the straightforward statements is subtracted from the total score of the reverse-coded statements, and a fixed number, 50, is added to the result. The scores obtained through this method range from 20 to 80, with scores between 20-39 indicating low, 40-59 indicating moderate, and 60-79 indicating high levels of anxiety. An increase in the score indicates a rise in the individual's anxiety level. The reliability coefficients of the scale range from 0.94 to 0.96 (Spielberger et al., 1970; Öner and LeCompte, 1998).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Inonu University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Sweet Orange Aromatherapy on Anxiety and Pulse Level of Nurse Students During IV Cannula Placement Skill Process

Important dates

Study start: 2024
Primary completion: 2024
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Feb 25, 2025
Registry last updated: Mar 3, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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