The Effect of Orientation Tour, with and without Orange Essence Aromatherapy, on Anxiety Level in Birthing Parents of Premature Neonates: A Quasi-experimental Study

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 MSc of Midwifery, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 a) Associate Professor, Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center , Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran b) Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Research Centre for Health care and Communities, Coventry University, UK

4 Assistant Professor, Department of public health, School of Health, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran

5 Associate Professor, Shahid Akbarabadi Clinical Research Development Unit, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

6 Medical Doctor, Barij Medicinal Plants Research Center, Kashan, Iran

10.22038/jmrh.2025.80355.2405

Abstract

Background & aim: Birthing parents of premature neonates experience anxiety after the hospitalization of their neonates in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). This study examined how orientation tours, with and without orange essence aromatherapy, impact birthing parents’ anxiety level.  
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 130 participants whose premature neonates were hospitalized in a NICU in Tehran, Iran. Participants were selected using convenience sampling and enrolled into three groups: orientation tour, orientation tour-aromatherapy and control group. In the orientation tour group, a tour of orientation was undertaken in the NICU for 30 minutes. In the orientation tour-aromatherapy group, four drops of orange essence were inhaled for 30 minutes before participants’ first entry into the NICU followed by an orientation tour for 30 minutes. Four drops of essence were also inhaled for 30 minutes before bed at the first night. Participants in the control group met their neonates for the first time in the usual manner. The State -Trait Anxiety Inventory was completed by all participants one hour before the first entry into the NICU and also one and 24 hours after participants left it. One-way analysis of variance and repeated measures analysis were used to analyse data. 
Results: At one and 24 hours post-NICU visit, both intervention groups showed significantly lower state and trait anxiety scores than the control group (P < 0.001). No difference was observed between the two intervention groups at either time period.
Conclusion: Orientation tours may be useful to reduce stress and anxiety in parents of premature neonates who are subsequently hospitalized in the NICU.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health
Volume 14, Issue 2
April 2026
Pages 5411-5420

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