The Effect of Deep Breathing Relaxation and Lemongrass Aromatherapy on Nausea, Vomiting, and Sleep Quality in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Individuals undergoing hemodialysis frequently encounter symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sleep disturbances, which can negatively impact their overall well-being and treatment compliance. This research investigates the impact of combining deep breathing relaxation techniques with lemongrass essential oil aromatherapy on alleviating nausea and vomiting, as well as enhancing sleep quality among hemodialysis patients. Methods: This study utilized a quasi-experimental design with a pre-post control group format. The research was conducted on hemodialysis patients at A. Yani Islamic Hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia. A total of 56 participants were selected using simple random sampling and allocated into intervention and control groups. Nausea and vomiting levels were evaluated using the INVR (Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching), while sleep quality was measured through the PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: A significant reduction in nausea and vomiting was observed in the intervention group after the treatment (p<0.05). Furthermore, sleep quality in the same group showed a marked improvement following the intervention (p<0.05). The Mann-Whitney U test revealed a statistically significant difference in INVR and PSQI scores between the intervention and control groups (p=0.000). These findings suggest that deep breathing relaxation combined with lemongrass aromatherapy is effective in minimizing nausea and vomiting, while also enhancing sleep quality in hemodialysis patients. Conclusions: The combination of deep breathing relaxation and lemongrass aromatherapy can be used as a safe and easy-to-apply complementary therapy to reduce nausea and vomiting complaints and improve sleep quality.