Can Coloring Pre-Structured Designs That Have Complexity Aid in Reducing Anxiety in Those Greater Than 17 Years of Age?

Objective: The objective of this selective evidence based medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not coloring mandalas or designs that have complexity and structure can aid in reducing anxiety in those greater than 17 years of age. Study Design: Review of three English language randomized controlled trials (RCTs), published in 2007, 2012, and 2015. Data Sources: Three randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals obtained using PubMed and EBSCOhost. Outcomes Measured: The Curry and Kasser study and the van dV and Serice7study both used the State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) to record anxiety. The Henderson et al study used the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to record anxiety. Results: The studies by Curry and Kasser2 and van dV and Serice found a statistically significant decrease in anxiety levels following 20 minutes of structured coloring, compared to free-form coloring. The study conducted by Henderson et al found that there was no statistically significant difference in anxiety reduction between those that participated in freehand mandala-coloring and those that participated in freehand coloring of specific objects. Conclusions: The results showed that structured coloring is effective for reducing anxiety. Additional research should include a larger, more diverse population sample, as well as focus on specific designs and their complexity to determine which produce the largest anxiolytic effects

Aromatherapy as an Effective Treatment Option for the Management of Labor Pain

Objective: The objective of this selective evidence based medicine (EBM) review is to determine if aromatherapy is a potential treatment option for labor pain. Study Design: Review of four randomized control trials (RCTs), published in 2014, 2016, and 2017. Data Sources: Four randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals obtained using PubMed and Google Scholar. Outcomes Measured: The Tanvisut et al, Hamdamian et al, and Namazi et al studies used the numerical rating scale (NRS) to assess pain intensity. The Yazdkhasti and Pirakstudy used the visual analog pain scale (VAS) to assess pain intensity. Results: The studies conducted by Yazdkhasti and Pirak, Hamdamian et al, and Namazi et al, found that the severity of first stage labor pain (i.e., 3-10 cm dilatation) was statistically lower in patients receiving aromatherapy compared to the control groups. The study by Tanvisut et al found that the severity of labor pain from 3-7 cm dilatation was statistically lower in patients receiving aromatherapy compared to the control group, but not statistically lower in the late active phase of labor (i.e., 8-10 cm dilatation). Conclusions: The results showed that aromatherapy is a convenient and effective therapeutic option for pain management during the first stage of labor in low-risk, nulliparous women. Further research should analyze if certain aromas have a superior analgesic effect, as well as if these results are consistent among multiparous women