Aromatherapy for Pain and Nausea in Acute Care Therapy

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Elizabeth Koyle, PT, DPT, RN, BSN, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 1

Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Must not be taking: Intranasal zinc, decongestants, phenothiazines

Disqualifiers: Respiratory disorders, Cognitive impairment, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 30 minutes per session

200 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial uses patches with essential oils to help patients with pain or nausea. The oils are inhaled to reduce symptoms, making it easier for patients to participate in therapy and potentially shorten their hospital stay. Essential oils have been used in aromatherapy to alleviate anxiety symptoms and have shown minimal adverse effects in studies.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it excludes those using certain drugs that affect the sense of smell, like some nasal sprays and oral drugs such as nifedipine and phenothiazines.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Aromatherapy for Pain and Nausea in Acute Care Therapy?

Research shows that peppermint oil aromatherapy can help reduce nausea in hospitalized patients, and lavender oil aromatherapy may increase patient satisfaction with pain control, even if it doesn't significantly lower pain scores. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is aromatherapy safe for use in humans?

Aromatherapy using essential oils like peppermint, lavender, and others is generally considered safe when used properly, but allergic reactions and toxicity can occur, especially if ingested. It's important to follow clinical safety standards when using these oils. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

How does aromatherapy differ from other treatments for pain and nausea in acute care?

Aromatherapy is unique because it uses the inhalation of essential oils, like peppermint and ginger, to help reduce nausea and pain, offering a non-drug alternative that can be administered easily by nurses in acute care settings. Unlike standard antiemetic medications, which may not always prevent nausea, aromatherapy provides a complementary approach that can be used alongside other treatments. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Research Team

Bianca Gonzales, OTR, CNT, EdD, MOT

Principal Investigator

University Health

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adult patients in an acute care setting at University Health hospital who can consent and communicate in English or Spanish. They should be willing to follow the study procedures but cannot have respiratory disorders, cognitive impairments, olfactory issues, allergies to essential oils used in the study, or be pregnant or imprisoned.

Inclusion Criteria

Provision of a signed and dated informed consent form

Willing to comply with all study procedures

I am 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnant women (self-reported)

I have a lung condition such as asthma, COPD, or lung cancer.

Prisoner

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive aromatherapy using essential oils or placebo during physical or occupational therapy sessions

30 minutes per session

Multiple sessions as per therapy schedule

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in pain or nausea scale from baseline to post-therapy

30 minutes

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Lavender Oil
• Mandarin Oil
• Peppermint Oil
• Placebo

Trial Overview The trial tests if inhaling essential oils like peppermint oil, lavender oil, and mandarin oil can reduce pain or nausea compared to a placebo. This could help patients participate more in physical/occupational therapy and possibly shorten their hospital stay.

Participant Groups

Group I: Pain Symptoms Arm Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Subjects who will receive physical or occupational therapy experiencing pain prior to therapy session.

Group II: Nausea Symptom Arm Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects who will receive physical or occupational therapy experiencing nausea prior to therapy session.

Group III: Standard of Care Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Subjects who will receive physical or occupational therapy experiencing pain or nausea prior to therapy session that decline the option to use an aromatherapy patch.

Group IV: Placebo Group Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Subjects who will receive physical or occupational therapy experiencing pain or nausea prior to therapy session.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Lead Sponsor

Trials

486

Recruited

92,500+

University Health

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

560+

University Hospital

Collaborator

Trials

3

Recruited

390+

Findings from Research

Aromatherapy (AT) was found to be 100% effective in managing postdischarge nausea and vomiting (PDNV) in ambulatory surgical patients, compared to 67% effectiveness with standard care (SC).

For postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), the AT group had a similar incidence (52%) to the SC group (48%), but overall satisfaction with treatment was high in both groups, indicating that AT is a viable option for managing nausea in surgical patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Comparison of Aromatherapy to Standard Care for Relief of PONV and PDNV in Ambulatory Surgical Patients. Stallings-Welden, LM., Doerner, M., Ketchem, EL., et al.[2019]

In a study of 50 patients undergoing breast biopsy surgery, lavender oil aromatherapy did not significantly reduce pain scores compared to a control group, indicating limited analgesic efficacy.

However, patients who received lavender oil reported higher satisfaction with their pain control, suggesting that while it may not reduce pain intensity, it could enhance the overall experience of pain management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of aromatherapy in treating postoperative pain: pilot study. Kim, JT., Wajda, M., Cuff, G., et al.[2021]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peppermint Essential Oil for Nausea and Vomiting in Hospitalized Patients: Incorporating Holistic Patient Decision Making Into the Research Design. [2022]

2. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effectiveness of nurse-delivered aromatherapy in an acute care setting. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aromatherapy as treatment for postoperative nausea: a randomized trial. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Comparison of Aromatherapy to Standard Care for Relief of PONV and PDNV in Ambulatory Surgical Patients. [2019]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of aromatherapy in treating postoperative pain: pilot study. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aromatherapy with peppermint, isopropyl alcohol, or placebo is equally effective in relieving postoperative nausea. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Essential oils for complementary treatment of surgical patients: state of the art. [2022]