The Feasibility of Using Aromatherapy for Pain Management in an Outpatient Clinic Setting

Abstract

Purpose: This quality improvement project explored the feasibility of essential oil aromatherapy in patients suffering from acute or chronic pain syndromes in an outpatient urgent care setting.Background: Pain management has led to substantial controversy from ailments of narcotics associated with traditional pharmacological interventions, such as addiction, high costs, respiratory complications, delayed recovery, and even death. These serious issues have created a necessity for alternative therapies to help reduce pain in patients that do not have adverse side effects. Data suggests that evidence-based essential oil protocols improved quality of life and resulted in optimization of pain control in diverse patient populations. Methods: Following a brief 20-minute on-site education session with clinicians and staff, patients presenting with complaints of headache or musculoskeletal pain were asked to participate in a 20-minute educational PowerPoint presentation regarding aromatherapy and complete a feasibility survey. Potential participants chose a random four-digit code to de-identify their completed surveys. The project manager distributed a paper copy of the demographic survey to each outpatient clinic participant. Outcomes Achieved: Collected results from the participant and staff surveys were analyzed. Each participant’s pre- and post-intervention questionnaires were compared to assess interest in receiving aromatherapy for pain management if offered in the future. The project manager shared de-identified results with the provider. Lastly, the participating provider completed a short survey to assess the feasibility of offering aromatherapy to patients presenting with mild to moderate pain in the future. Conclusions: Despite the known safety and analgesic effectiveness of essential oils, insufficient numbers of studies have explored a practical adaptation of an integrative approach. It was determined participant interest in aromatherapy use for pain management was well supported by patients presenting with pain. Furthermore, the survey noted support from the participating provider regarding the feasibility of adopting an aromatherapy pain management protocol. With interest discovered, organizational adoption of this protocol may be feasible to improve patient outcomes while adding to the mounting evidence of the advantages of essential oil use in pain management.