The Use of Aromatherapy for Symptom Management

Central DuPage Hospital

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Nausea, Vomiting and Anxiety Associated With Medical Oncology Patients

Treatments

Drug: Peppermint and Lavender Essential Oils

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT02163369

14-031-1

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this pilot study is to introduce the use of aromatherapy/essential oils to medical oncology patients at Central DuPage Hospital to assess their perceived effectiveness to relieve symptoms of nausea or vomiting and/or anxiety.

Peppermint oil will be used for nausea/vomiting and lavender oil will be used for anxiety. This study will involve administration of aromatherapy to a convenience sample of patients, who will then be asked to complete a brief questionnaire. The questionnaire will involve a simple likert scale to measure efficacy (in the opinion of the patient) and simple multiple-choice questions to determine patients' likeliness to use aromatherapy again.

Enrollment

40 estimated patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Adult hospitalized medical oncology patients admitted to Central DuPage Hospital.
Age 18 years or greater.
Able to understand and speak English.
Women of non-childbearing potential or with childbearing potential with a negative pregnancy test documented during the hospital stay.
Able to understand concept of aromatherapy for treatment of distressing symptoms.

Exclusion criteria

Prisoners.
Non-English speaking patients.
Under the age of 18.
Unable to comprehend the concept of aromatherapy.
Severe cognitive impairment.
Not experiencing the symptoms of nausea, vomiting or anxiety.
Women with child-bearing potential who have not had a negative pregnancy test during the hospital stay.
Patients with known allergy to lavender or peppermint.