Comparison effect of Lavender and Citrus aurantium aroma on anxiety in female students at Golestan University of Medical Sciences

Test anxiety is a common phenomenon and the problematic concern of the educational system. Scented essentials like lavender (angustifolia) oil and Citrus aurantium (orange flower) oil have positive impact on people's physical and mental condition and anxiety. This study was designed to compare and evaluate the effects of lavender essential oil aroma and Citrus aurantium essential oil aroma on test anxiety.

This double-blind clinical trial study was carried out on 80 female students from the Faculty of Paramedics Sciences, Gorgan city in 2013. Students were randomly and equally assigned to the two lavender or Citrus aurantium groups. All students smelled oil for a period of 60 seconds. To stay scents, some oil was rubbed on the candidates foreheads using an applicator. To evaluate the level of anxiety and stress before the intervention, Sarason Anxiety Test, and to measure the effect of essence after intervention, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS16 software and the independent and paired T-tests.

The mean anxiety in students in lavender group dropped from (5.67±2.05) to (3.9± 1.82) and in Citrus aurantium group decreased from (5.25±2.06) to (3.97±2). This difference was statistically significant (P <0.001). The intervention had a significant effect on heart rate; however, had no effect on the blood pressure.

According to the results, lavender and citrus aurantium scents had positive effects on students' test anxiety and can be used as a cheap and good psychological care in treatment support systems to control and reduce anxiety with least side effects.