The Effect of Scent on Pregnancy Induced Nausea, Vomiting, and Quality of Life

Franklin Health Research

Status: Completed

Conditions: Pregnancy Early; Morning Sickness

Treatments: Other: Control; Other: Spice-Scented Aromatherapy; Other: Citrus-Based Aromatherapy; Other: Mint-Based Aromatherapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03513536

18-2300

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study evaluates the effects of essential oils on nausea, vomiting, and quality of life scores among pregnant women. Participants will receive either an essential oil roll-on product or a placebo product to apply to their temples and jaw line daily for 6 days.

Full description

The inhalation of certain essential oils has been found to reduce feelings of nausea and to improve quality of life during pregnancy.

The essential oils used in this study are applied topically to the temples and jaw line every 4-6 waking hours over a 6-day period. Each application will produce an exposure that lasts up to 30-45 minutes before fading. At the end of each day, nausea and vomiting levels will be assessed using a validated measurement instrument.

Quality of life is measured using a 30-question tool that measures both pregnancy-related quality of life and pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Enrollment: 74 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• age: 18-45 years
• confirmed pregnancy
• healthy pregnancy

Exclusion criteria

• hyperemesis gravidarum
• tobacco use in the home
• high risk pregnancy

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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74 participants in 4 patient groups, including a placebo group

Intervention 1

Experimental group

Description:

The women in this arm will receive the Citrus-Based Aromatherapy product to apply regularly for 6 days.

Treatment:

Other: Citrus-Based Aromatherapy

Intervention 2

Experimental group

Description:

The women in this arm will receive the Mint-Based Aromatherapy product to apply regularly for 6 days.

Treatment:

Other: Mint-Based Aromatherapy

Intervention 3

Experimental group

Description:

The women in this arm will receive the Spice-Scented Aromatherapy product to apply regularly for 6 days.

Treatment:

Other: Spice-Scented Aromatherapy

Control

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

The women in this arm will receive a vegetable oil roll-on product to apply regularly for 6 days.

Treatment:

Other: Control