| Methods |
Double‐blind, randomised controlled trial of aromatherapy. Computer‐generated sequence and concealed by a coded number on the bottle. The women, care providers, outcome assessor and analyst were all blind to the woman's group allocation. |
| Participants |
22 multiparous women with a singleton pregnancy were randomised to the trial. Women were excluded with previous caesarean section, major medical complications, skin allergies, hypotension, previous vaginal surgery (excluding dilatation and curettage), not receiving continuity of midwifery care. Women were recruited during the antenatal period, at a level II hospital in New Zealand. |
| Interventions |
Randomisation occurred on the delivery suite prior to the woman entering the bath. Once the woman was in the bath, the seal on the bottle was broken and the oil poured into the bath. The woman was required to remain in the bath for at least one hour. The experimental group received essential oil of ginger and the control group received essential oil of lemon grass. |
| Outcomes |
Frequency of contractions, cervical dilatation, length of first and second stage of labour, pain experience, need for pain relief, side‐effects from essential oils, Apgar scores, and rooming‐in. |
| Notes |
A power calculation was performed, 116 women were required. Twenty‐two women were recruited. There were no losses to follow up. An intention‐to‐treat analysis was performed. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Low risk |
A ‐ Adequate |
