An overview of the comparison of inhalation aromatherapy on emotional distress of female and male patients in preoperative period

Many patients experience anxiety and stress before surgery. Anxiety is also different in men and women so that the prevalence of anxiety disorders in women is higher than men. The present study aimed to compare the effect of inhalation aromatherapy on emotional distress of men and women before surgery. This study conducted as a randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled, prospective and clinical trial. It was performed in hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. 90 patients were selected as candidates for surgery and were divided into two intervention groups and one control group. Patients completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire before the intervention. Patients completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire (STAI) after 20 min of intervention. Then the data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 16. The significance level in all testes was set at