LAUSR

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This study aimed to determine the effect of bergamot orange essence on anxiety, salivary cortisol, and alpha amylase in patients prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS This clinical trial with pre-post design was conducted on 60 candidates for cholecystectomy. The participants were randomly divided into an intervention and a control group. The intervention group participants underwent aromatherapy using two drops of 3% bergamot orange essence, while the control group ones inhaled two drops of odourless grape seed oil. Anxiety mean score and salivary cortisol and alpha amylase levels were measured before and after the intervention. RESULTS A significant difference was found between the groups regarding anxiety (F = 9.00, p = 0.004) and alpha amylase level (F = 9.46, p = 0.003) after the intervention. CONCLUSION Bergamot orange essence decreased anxiety and salivary alpha amylase level. Therefore, this method can be used as a complementary technique to reduce patients' anxiety prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery. IRCT REGISTRATION NUMBER IRCT20171113037428N2. It is available in following website: https://www.irct.ir/trial/27696 REGISTRATION DATE: 03/25/2018.