International Journal of
Reproductive Biomedicine
Sun, Oct 25, 2026
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Volume 23, Issue 7 (July 2025)
Int J Reprod BioMed. 2025, 23(7): 577-586 |
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Ethics code: IR.MUMS.NURSE.REC.1403.015
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Abdollahi Senu N, Salari R, Ghavami V, Mirzakhani K. The effect of inhalation aromatherapy with lemon balm essential oil on perceived stress in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization: An RCT. Int J Reprod BioMed. 2025; 23 (7) :577-586
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-3537-en.html
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-3537-en.html
1- Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
2- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Persian Medicine, School of Persian and Complementary Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
3- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. & Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
4- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. & Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. ,Mirzakhanikb@gmail.com
2- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Persian Medicine, School of Persian and Complementary Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
3- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. & Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
4- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. & Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. ,
Abstract: (1555 Views)
Background: Women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment often experience a lot of stress during treatment cycles. One of the interventions in the field of stress reduction is aromatherapy. Lemon balm is a plant with antistress and antidepressant effects, but its effect on the perceived stress of infertile women has not been studied.
Objective: Determining the effect of inhaled aromatherapy with lemon balm essential oil on perceived stress in infertile women undergoing IVF treatment.
Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomized clinical trial with a pretest/posttest design. A total of 86 infertile women who referred to the Milad Infertility Center in Imam Reza hospital, Mashhad, Iran from July-October 2024 were selected using a convenient sampling method. Women were divided into 2 intervention and control groups using a 4-way random block method. The intervention group received inhaled aromatherapy with lemon balm essential oil for 2 wk, twice a day, in the morning and at night. The control group also received a placebo. The research tools included demographic questionnaires and the fertility-problem inventory. The participants' stress levels were measured with fertility-problem inventory, and both groups completed questionnaires before and after the intervention.
Results: Before the intervention, no significant difference was observed in the perceived stress variable between the intervention and control groups (p = 0.112), but after the intervention, a statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 groups (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The effect of aromatherapy with lemon balm essential oil reduces perceived stress in infertile women undergoing IVF treatment.
Objective: Determining the effect of inhaled aromatherapy with lemon balm essential oil on perceived stress in infertile women undergoing IVF treatment.
Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomized clinical trial with a pretest/posttest design. A total of 86 infertile women who referred to the Milad Infertility Center in Imam Reza hospital, Mashhad, Iran from July-October 2024 were selected using a convenient sampling method. Women were divided into 2 intervention and control groups using a 4-way random block method. The intervention group received inhaled aromatherapy with lemon balm essential oil for 2 wk, twice a day, in the morning and at night. The control group also received a placebo. The research tools included demographic questionnaires and the fertility-problem inventory. The participants' stress levels were measured with fertility-problem inventory, and both groups completed questionnaires before and after the intervention.
Results: Before the intervention, no significant difference was observed in the perceived stress variable between the intervention and control groups (p = 0.112), but after the intervention, a statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 groups (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The effect of aromatherapy with lemon balm essential oil reduces perceived stress in infertile women undergoing IVF treatment.
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
Fertility & Infertility
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