Aromatherapy effects on pain and anxiety during transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy: A randomized controlled trial.
Complement Ther MedJun 16, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchUrology
Barış Saylam, Ali Nebioğlu, Bahar Aydınlı et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of lavender and frankincense aromatherapy on pain and anxiety in 120 male patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. Both aromatherapy interventions significantly reduced anxiety, with lavender showing a mean reduction of 7.39 points and frankincense 8.54 points (p < 0.001).
Key findings
- Lavender aromatherapy reduced anxiety by 7.39 ± 7.12 points (p < 0.001).
- Frankincense aromatherapy reduced anxiety by 8.54 ± 9.98 points (p < 0.001).
- Control group showed no significant change in anxiety (-0.82 ± 4.41 points, p = 0.099).
- Both aromatherapy groups reported significant analgesic effects (p < 0.001).
Why it matters
The study highlights the potential of aromatherapy as a non-invasive adjunct to standard care, improving patient comfort and reducing anxiety and pain during urological procedures, which can enhance overall patient experience.