Digital Aromatherapy Solutions: Leveraging Lemon Scent Technology to Alleviate Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnant Women

Reni Anggraeni; Nenden Lesmana Wati; Neil Madulara Martin; Lina Tio

doi:10.58418/ijni.v4i1.132

Authors

Reni Anggraeni Poltekes Yapkesbi Sukabumi, Indonesia
Nenden Lesmana Wati Universitas Faletehan, Indonesia
Neil Madulara Martin Mindanao State University, Philippines
Lina Tio University Malaysia of Computer Science & Engineering, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58418/ijni.v4i1.132

Keywords:

Digital Aromatherapy, Lemon Scent, Pregnancy, Nausea, Vomiting, Maternal Health

Abstract

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) are often perceived as normal conditions, yet they can significantly affect a pregnant woman’s quality of life. With limited use of pharmacological treatments due to concerns for fetal safety, digital innovation has opened new opportunities for non-invasive maternal care. One emerging approach is digital aromatherapy, which combines the convenience of technology with the benefits of natural therapy to help alleviate common pregnancy-related discomforts. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a lemon-scented digital aromatherapy intervention in reducing symptoms of NVP. A pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design was used, involving 100 pregnant women from Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia. Participants used a mobile-controlled digital diffuser with lemon essential oil for 20 minutes, twice daily, over a period of seven days. The severity of nausea and vomiting was measured using the Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis and Nausea (PUQE) scale before and after the intervention. The results showed a statistically significant reduction in PUQE scores post-intervention (p < 0.001), indicating a notable decrease in symptom severity. No adverse effects were reported throughout the intervention period. These findings indicate that lemon-based digital aromatherapy is a safe, effective, and accessible complementary approach for managing NVP. This study contributes to the advancement of digital maternal health by introducing a culturally adaptable, user-friendly, and scalable non-pharmacological solution for pregnancy-related symptoms.

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