Aromatherapy and music therapy significantly reduce anxiety and pain during mandibular third molar extraction surgery in patients
Photo by Chelsea shapouri / Unsplash
Key Takeaway
Aromatherapy and music therapy significantly reduce anxiety, pain, and physiological stress during mandibular third molar extraction without adverse effects.
A randomized controlled trial involving 279 patients undergoing mandibular third molar extraction assessed the impact of aromatherapy and music therapy on perioperative outcomes. The study compared these nonpharmacological interventions against a control group during the surgical procedure.
Results indicated that aromatherapy led to a reduction in total anxiety scores of 3.11 points, while music therapy achieved a greater reduction of 6.01 points. In contrast, the control group experienced a minimal reduction of 1.47 points, which was not statistically significant.
Beyond anxiety, both interventions significantly lowered heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and postoperative pain levels. Additionally, oxygen saturation levels were observed to increase in the treatment groups. These findings suggest that simple, safe interventions can effectively manage patient stress and discomfort.
No adverse events or discontinuations were reported, confirming the excellent tolerability of these therapies. The results highlight promising nonpharmacological strategies for reducing perioperative anxiety and pain in dental surgery settings.
View Original Abstract ↓
PURPOSE: This study evaluated the anxiolytic and analgesic effects of aromatherapy and music therapy in patients undergoing mandibular third molar extraction.
BASIC PROCEDURES: A three-arm randomized clinical trial was conducted with 279 patients, divided into an aromatherapy group (93), a music therapy group (93), and a control group (93). Interventions took place during surgery. Anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and pain with a visual analog scale. Physiological parameters, including heart rate, oxygen saturation, and systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), were recorded.
MAIN FINDINGS: The aromatherapy and music therapy groups demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in total, state, and trait anxiety compared to controls (reduction in total anxiety in the aromatherapy group: 3.11; 95% CI, 2.83-5.45; Rosenthal r, 0.28; P = .006; reduction in total anxiety in the music group: 6.01; 95% CI, 3.69-8.30; Rosenthal r, 0.52; P < .001; reduction in total anxiety in the control group: 1.47; 95% CI, 0.39-4.54; Rosenthal r, 0.21; P = .06). The intervention groups also showed reduced heart rate, SBP, and DBP (P < .05), and increased saturation (P < .05). Postoperative pain was significantly lower in these groups compared to controls (P < .05).
PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: Aromatherapy and music therapy appear to be promising nonpharmacological strategies for reducing perioperative anxiety and pain during mandibular third molar extractions. Music therapy produced a greater reduction in anxiety levels, while aromatherapy showed a more pronounced effect on physiological parameters. Both interventions were associated with lower postoperative pain.
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