The Effect of Mentha spicata Essential Oil (Supermint Oral Drops) on Gastric Residual Volume in Mechanically Ventilated Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Parallel-Group, Triple-Blinded, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Introduction

Delayed gastric emptying is a prevalent problem in intensive care unit (ICU) patients on mechanical ventilation receiving enteral nutrition. This study aimed to assess the effect of Mentha spicata essential oil (Supermint oral drops) on gastric residual volume (GRV) in this patient population.

Methods

In this clinical trial study, from May 1, 2020 to January 30, 2021, 60 mechanically ventilated ICU patients were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. From the first day of their feeding, patients in the intervention and control groups, respectively, received 20 drops of the Supermint and placebo dissolved in 40 ml of water, three times daily for 4 days. The GRV was measured at the baseline and during four days of intervention. Data were analysed using a generalised estimation equation regression model.

Results

Of the patients, 58.1% were female. The mean age of patients was 71.5 (SD = 14.2), and 65.5% were hospitalised for coronavirus disease 2019. The results indicated no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the baseline GRV (P = 0.181). There was a significant interaction between time and the treatment group (P < 0.001), which suggested that GRV changes over time were different between the two groups. In the control group, the average GRV increased by 0.07 for each unit increase in time, while in the Supermint group, it decreased significantly by 1.09.

Conclusions

The current study’s finding suggested that M spicata essential oil may have the potential to reduce GRV in ICU patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding.

IRCT code

No: IRCT20191223045868N1. Date: March 28, 2020. Available at: http://irct.ir/trial/46580.