Essential Oils for Anxiety Disorders during Electrocautery

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Northwestern University

Disqualifiers: Language problems, Impaired cerebral function, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 1 day

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if essential oil aromatherapy can reduce anxiety and discomfort during skin surgeries using electrocautery, a technique known for its unpleasant burnt flesh smell. Researchers will divide participants into two groups: one receiving aromatherapy and the other not. After the procedure, participants will complete a questionnaire about their experience. Individuals living in the Chicago area, in good health, and undergoing skin surgery with electrocautery are encouraged to consider joining. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance surgical experiences.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this aromatherapy technique is safe for patients undergoing electrocautery?

Research shows that using essential oils in aromatherapy is generally safe and typically causes fewer side effects than traditional medicines. Essential oils often help reduce anxiety, such as before surgeries. A review of studies found that oils like citrus aurantium effectively lower anxiety levels.

Additionally, research has shown that lavender aromatherapy can reduce anxiety in surgical patients. This suggests that essential oils are well-tolerated and effective in calming patients. Overall, while essential oils have been used for a long time, their role in reducing anxiety during specific procedures like electrocautery is being further explored. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike the standard treatments for anxiety disorders, which often include medications like SSRIs or benzodiazepines, aromatherapy using essential oils offers a natural, non-invasive alternative. Researchers are excited about this approach because essential oils may work by influencing the brain's limbic system, which is involved in emotions and mood. Additionally, this method could potentially provide quicker relief from anxiety symptoms without the side effects commonly associated with pharmaceuticals. Aromatherapy is also easy to administer, making it accessible for use in various settings, including during medical procedures like electrocautery.

What evidence suggests that essential oil aromatherapy could be effective for reducing anxiety during electrocautery?

Research has shown that essential oils can help reduce anxiety. For example, lavender oil significantly lowered anxiety levels in people undergoing medical procedures. One study found that inhaling lavender oil, combined with breathing exercises, reduced anxiety in patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy. Another review suggests that essential oils, such as citrus aurantium, can effectively reduce both short-term and long-term anxiety. In this trial, participants will join either an aromatherapy group using essential oils or a sham group without essential oil. While the evidence is promising, individual results may vary. ^{2 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Murad Alam, MD

Principal Investigator

Northwestern University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 in good health who are undergoing skin surgery with electrocautery in the Chicago area. They must be able to understand and sign a consent form. People can't join if they can't hold an aromatherapy device during surgery or have communication issues due to language barriers or mental impairment.

Inclusion Criteria

I am scheduled for a skin surgery today that will use electric current.

In good general health as assessed by the investigator

Participants must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent prior to registration on study

Exclusion Criteria

I can communicate and cooperate with the investigator without issues.

Subject unwilling to sign an IRB approved consent form

Surgery site incompatible with the patient holding a handheld aromatherapy device (physician discretion)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo dermatologic skin surgery with either sham control/no aromatherapy or aromatherapy

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants complete a questionnaire to assess their experience immediately after the procedure

Immediately after surgery

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Essential Oil
• No Essential Oil

Trial Overview The study is testing whether essential oil aromatherapy can reduce the smell of burnt flesh from electrocautery, aiming to lower patient anxiety and discomfort. Participants will either receive no aroma (sham control) or aromatherapy randomly and then answer a questionnaire about their experience.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Aromatherapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Sham Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Northwestern University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,674

Recruited

989,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Aromatherapy with inhaled lavender essential oil and breathing exercises significantly reduced anxiety in 90 depressed patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), as shown by a randomized controlled trial.

Both interventions were effective in lowering anxiety scores compared to routine care, suggesting they are simple and practical options for managing ECT-related anxiety.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of aromatherapy with inhaled lavender essential oil and breathing exercises on ECT-related anxiety in depressed patients. Moghadam, ZE., Delmoradi, F., Aemmi, SZ., et al.[2022]

Essential oils like lavender, rose, and bergamot are commonly used in aromatherapy to help relieve anxiety, stress, and depression, showcasing their potential as natural anxiolytic agents.

The review highlights the chemical components and central nervous system effects of these oils, suggesting that they may have therapeutic benefits in managing anxiety-related conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Essential oils and anxiolytic aromatherapy. Setzer, WN.[2009]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10267315/

Essential oils for treating anxiety: a systematic review of ... Conclusion. According to the comprehensive analysis, EOs are effective in reducing both state anxiety and trait anxiety, and citrus aurantium L.

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-anxiety-disorders-11-2020-59e61

Essential Oils for Anxiety Disorders during Electrocautery Aromatherapy with inhaled lavender essential oil and breathing exercises significantly reduced anxiety in 90 depressed patients undergoing electroconvulsive ...

3. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37325306/

Essential oils for treating anxiety: a systematic review of ... EOs are effective in reducing both state anxiety and trait anxiety, and citrus aurantium L. essential oil seems to be the most recommended type of EO for ...

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06833658

Effects of Aromatherapy with Essential Oils on Anxiety and ... The objective of this study is to investigate whether aromatherapy essential oils are effective in alleviating anxiety and depression in ...

5. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07126301

Aromatherapy Essential Oils to Manage Anxiety and ... Using aromatherapy essential oils such as ginger, peppermint, and lavender, may help reduce nausea and anxiety. Some studies have shown ...

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04260867

NCT04260867 | Essential Oils for Electrocautery The purpose of this study is to assess whether essential oil aromatherapy could improve or eliminate the smell of burnt flesh from electrocautery and ...

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04260867?term=AREA%5BConditionSearch%5D(Olfaction%20Disorders)%20AND%20AREA%5BOverallStatus%5D(ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING)&rank=6

Study Details | Essential Oils for Electrocautery A phase of research to describe clinical trials that focus on the safety of a drug. They are usually conducted with healthy volunteers, and the goal is to ...

8. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/320932770_The_Efficacy_of_Lavender_Aromatherapy_in_Reducing_Preoperative_Anxiety_in_Ambulatory_Surgery_Patients_Undergoing_Procedures_in_General_Otolaryngology_Anxiety_Reduction_with_Lavender_Aromatherapy

(PDF) The Efficacy of Lavender Aromatherapy in Reducing ... The available data reveal the wide use of aromatherapy and its positive anxiolytic effect in patients undergoing various types of surgical interventions, ...