Examining the Effect of an Orientation Tour and Aromatherapy on Stress and Depressed Mood in Birthing Parents with Preterm Infants: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background: Hospitalization of infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) may result in psychological morbidities, particularly among birthing parents. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an orientation tour, both with and without orange aromatherapy, on stress levels and depressive symptoms among birthing parents of preterm infants. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental, single-blind, three-group study, 130 birthing parents with hospitalized preterm infants were placed in two intervention groups and one control group. This study was undertaken in the NICU of Shahid Akbar Abadi Hospital in Tehran, Iran, from 2020 to 2021. Convenience sampling was used. A 30-minute orientation tour was undertaken by two intervention groups: 1) orientation tour only and 2) orientation tour with aromatherapy. Samples in the orientation tour-aromatherapy group additionally inhaled four drops of 2% orange oil. Data analysis was performed using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, one-way analysis of variance, and repeated measures analysis of variance tests. Results: 24 hours (but not 1 hour) after visiting the NICU, the average scores for depressed mood (F = 8.53, p < 0.001), the PSS (F = 5.437, p = 0.005), infant behavior and appearance (F = 3.611, p = 0.038), and parental role alteration (F = 4.541, p = 0.006) in the two intervention groups were statistically, significantly lower than those in the control group. Conclusions: Orientation tours, regardless of the use of orange aromatherapy, are effective in improving participants’ depressive mood and reducing their stress. Consequently, it is recommended that an orientation tour be provided during parents’ initial visit to their infants’ hospitalization.