Comparing the effects of clinical aromatherapy with rose and peppermint on postoperative pain in children aged 6-12 years: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

Effective postoperative pain management in children is essential. Aromatherapy using rose and peppermint essential oils has been suggested as a complementary approach. This study aimed to compare the effects of inhalation aromatherapy with rose and peppermint essential oils on postoperative pain in children.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2024 at a pediatric surgical center in Tehran, Iran. One hundred children aged 6-12 years undergoing abdominal surgery were randomly allocated to a rose essential oil group (n = 34), a peppermint essential oil group (n = 34), or a control group (n = 32). The intervention groups received inhalation aromatherapy at predetermined postoperative intervals, while the control group received saline pads. Pain intensity was assessed using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) Behavioral Pain Scale. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests, one-way analysis of variance, and repeated-measures analysis of variance with SPSS version 26.

RESULTS

Significant differences in mean pain scores were observed between groups at 6, 9, 12, and 16 h post-surgery (P < 0.001). The peppermint group demonstrated lower pain scores compared with the rose group, and both intervention groups had lower pain scores than the control group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Inhalation aromatherapy with both peppermint and rose essential oils was effective in reducing postoperative pain in children, with greater efficacy observed for peppermint.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Peppermint and rose essential oil aromatherapy can be safely integrated into pediatric postoperative nursing care as supportive, non-pharmacologic interventions to enhance pain management.