The effect of aromatherapy and music therapy upon anxiety and non-stress test results during pregnancy: A randomized clinical trial

Introduction: The non-stress test (NST) is commonly recommended for assessing fetal wellbeing. Anxiety in pregnancy can affect NST results and thus rates of false-positive results can increase. This study aimed to explore whether lavender oil inhalation administered in conjunction with music therapy is more effective in reducing anxiety and NST results during pregnancy than the use of lavender oil alone. Methods: This randomized clinical trial included 195 primiparous participants who were randomly assigned either to a control group, or one of two intervention groups receiving 1) lavender oil inhalation, 2) lavender oil inhalation and music therapy. Twenty minutes prior undertaking the NST, participants in the intervention groups inhaled four drops of 10% lavender oil. In the lavender/aromatherapy-music group, nature sounds were also played through earphones. Prior to the intervention and 20-minutes following the NST, state anxiety was measured as the primary outcome using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). NST results were assessed as secondary outcomes. For blinding, data was gathered by people unaware of the intervention. Results: The mean number of fetal heart rate accelerations, fetal movements, and the number of reactive NST results were more statistically significant in the two intervention groups than in the control group (p < 0.001). After adjusting baseline variation, when compared to control group, the mean score of state anxiety was significantly lower in the lavender/aromatherapy group (beta = -7.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) : -8.83, 5.24) and lavender/aromatherapy-music group (beta = - 9.27, 95% CI : - 11.1, - 7.49) than in the control group. Moreover, when compared to control group, the severity of state anxiety was significantly lower in the lavender/aromatherapy group (beta = -3.84, 95% CI : -5.58, -2.10) and the lavender/aromatherapy-music group (beta = -5.01, 95% CI : -7.05, -2.97) than in the control group. No adverse events were observed. Conclusion: The effects of using aromatherapy with lavender oil in conjunction with music therapy on state anxiety and NST results during pregnancy were similar to those resulting from the use of aromatherapy with lavender oil alone. Overall, the application of lavender oil as aromatherapy with or without music therapy is effective in reducing state anxiety during pregnancy and enhancing NST results.