UF Study Finds Aromatherapy Reduces Pre-Surgery Anxiety and Lowers Vital Signs
You’re waiting to have surgery, and your nerves are jangling. But what if, instead of hospital antiseptic, you instead smelled lavender? Or bergamot? Maybe some eucalyptus?
A new study, part of a special collaboration between the University of Florida College of Nursing and UF Health Shands, finds that a little aromatherapy before surgery significantly reduces patients’ anxiety and decreases blood pressure and pulse rates.
The results were so compelling that UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville is actively implementing preoperative aromatherapy treatments across all its surgical units.
The study, involving 100 patients, offered aromatherapy as part of their surgical preparation. For 20 minutes, a small pod, preloaded with a blend of essential oils, was placed on the patients’ gowns near their chests. The pods contained a base of lavender oil enhanced with ylang ylang and sweet orange oils — each known for their calming properties.
Patients’ blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rates, and self-assessed anxiety levels were measured before and after the aromatherapy session.
The results were notable. Among adult study participants, self-reported anxiety levels dropped an average of 40%, and in children ages 12 to 17, they declined more than 56%. All vital signs — blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rates — showed significant reductions.
The collaboration was part of an initiative where UF Health nurses at Shands and Jacksonville submitted project ideas and, after a multilevel review process, were assigned a College of Nursing faculty adviser who helped guide the study. The initiative not only fostered a deeper integration of nursing practice and academic research but also gave nurses a pivotal role in driving innovation in patient care.
Kristy Perry, a nurse and clinical coordinator at UF Health Shands who was a co-investigator in the study, brimmed with enthusiasm about the interest the aromatherapy project has generated.
“People are excited. I’ve had nurses from other universities reaching out to learn more about our findings. The excitement is palpable within our hospital as well, with other units eager to see how this treatment can benefit their patients,” she said. “We’re certainly thrilled to see the project implemented hospitalwide.”
Gail Czaban, one of two principal investigators for the study, said surgeons and anesthesiologists have also shown interest.
Ann Horgas, Ph.D., interim executive associate dean at the UF College of Nursing, was the faculty member assigned to the team and the study’s co-principal investigator. She praised the project for its innovation and collaborative spirit, noting the study demonstrates how nurse-driven research can lead to tangible health care improvements and a more holistic, patient-centered treatment approach.
“I was thrilled to see the nurses’ vision for this project come to life. Their commitment to both the research process and the success of the project was deeply fulfilling,” Horgas said. “Working alongside nurses in the clinical setting gave me a valuable perspective on the practical application of research, and it was a joy to see their passion for patient care translated into meaningful outcomes.”
The study came about after nurses Perry and Michele Brunges, director of perioperative services at UF Health Shands, attended a conference on aromatherapy’s potential clinical benefits.
“We saw an opportunity to explore how these therapies could benefit our patients in real, measurable ways,” Brunges said.
Since completing the study, the nurses have presented their findings at multiple conferences in the U.S., generating interest from health care professionals. Looking ahead, the team plans a retrospective study to assess the long-term effectiveness of aromatherapy in the surgical units.
“Once the treatment has been fully implemented, we want to look back in six months to a year and evaluate its ongoing impact on patient outcomes,” Perry said. “This project has ignited my passion for research, and I’m eager to dive deeper into understanding how we can continually improve patient care.”