Lavender Aromatherapy for Anxiety During Skin Cancer Surgery

Overseen By Bryan Carroll, MD, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Lavender allergies, Aroma sensitivities, Anosmia, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

100 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Lavender Aromatherapy for anxiety during skin cancer surgery?

Research shows that lavender aromatherapy can help reduce anxiety in patients undergoing various types of surgeries, including breast and otolaryngology procedures. It has also been found to improve anxiety and well-being in cancer hospice patients, suggesting it may be beneficial for managing anxiety during skin cancer surgery. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is lavender aromatherapy safe for use in humans?

Research on lavender aromatherapy, including lavender oil and lavender essential oil, suggests it is generally safe for use in humans, as it has been studied for anxiety and mood improvement in various surgical settings without significant safety concerns. ^{2 3 5 6 7}

How does lavender aromatherapy differ from other treatments for anxiety during skin cancer surgery?

Lavender aromatherapy is unique because it uses the natural scent of lavender oil to help reduce anxiety, offering a simple, low-risk, and cost-effective alternative to traditional anxiety medications. Unlike pills or injections, it is administered through inhalation, making it non-invasive and easy to use during surgery. ^{1 3 5 7 8}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study aims to improve patient comfort by exploring the potential of lavender aromatherapy in reducing anxiety and unpleasant odor perception during Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS). Lavender has been widely studied for its sedative-like properties and calming effects, both in medical and dental settings. By investigating the impact of lavender aromatherapy on patient anxiety levels during MMS, we seek to provide evidence-based insights into non- pharmacological interventions that can enhance the overall comfort and experience of participants.

Research Team

Bryan Carroll, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 who are undergoing their first Mohs surgery on the head or neck at UH Westlake Dermatology Clinic. It's not suitable for those with lavender allergies, sensitivities to smells, anosmia (loss of smell), or anyone with cold or flu symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria

I have had Mohs surgery on my head or neck.

I have never had Mohs surgery.

I am a patient at UH Westlake Dermatology Clinic for Mohs surgery.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants with aroma sensitivities

I am currently experiencing symptoms of a cold or flu.

Participants with lavender allergies

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Pre-Surgery Preparation

Lavender essential oil or water is diffused 15 minutes before surgery to assess its impact on anxiety and odor perception

15 minutes

1 visit (in-person)

Surgery

Participants undergo Mohs Micrographic Surgery with lavender aromatherapy or placebo

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Post-Surgery Assessment

Participants complete post-layer questionnaires assessing anxiety and participant experience

Immediately after surgery

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any delayed effects of the intervention and overall satisfaction

1-2 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Lavender Aromatherapy

Trial Overview The study is testing if smelling lavender oil during Mohs Micrographic Surgery can help reduce anxiety and improve how patients perceive unpleasant odors compared to using water as a control. The goal is to see if this non-drug approach improves patient comfort.

Participant Groups

Group I: Lavender Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

4 drops of lavender essential oil will be added to an electronic diffusion device with 100ml of water. The device will be turned on 15 minutes before surgery for participants who previously agreed to the study. The device will be turned off after completion of the post- layer questionnaires assessing anxiety and participant experience.

Group II: Water Placebo Group 1 Intervention

On the day of surgery, participants who previously completed the electronic consent will be brought to a room with a diffuser. The diffusers will be turned on 15 minutes before scheduled time of surgery with just water for the control group

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

472

Recruited

33,400+

Findings from Research

The quality improvement project aimed to enhance staff understanding of topical aromatherapy as a method to alleviate anxiety in cancer patients.

By implementing this project, the researchers sought to assess how effective topical aromatherapy could be in reducing anxiety levels among individuals undergoing cancer treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Topical Aromatherapy: Increasing Staff Knowledge and Alleviating Anxiety in Patients With Cancer. Kruger, MB., Wittren, SP.[2023]

A study involving 100 ambulatory surgery patients found that inhaling lavender aromatherapy significantly reduced preoperative anxiety compared to standard nursing care, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001).

The reduction in anxiety was modest, suggesting that while lavender aromatherapy can be beneficial, further research is needed to confirm its clinical effectiveness in managing preoperative anxiety.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Efficacy of Lavender Aromatherapy in Reducing Preoperative Anxiety in Ambulatory Surgery Patients Undergoing Procedures in General Otolaryngology. Wotman, M., Levinger, J., Leung, L., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 17 cancer hospice patients, aromatherapy with 3% lavender oil showed a small positive effect on vital signs, pain, anxiety, depression, and overall sense of well-being after a 60-minute session.

Both lavender aromatherapy and humidified water treatments resulted in similar slight improvements, suggesting that the observed benefits may not be solely due to the lavender oil itself.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of aromatherapy with hospice patients to decrease pain, anxiety, and depression and to promote an increased sense of well-being. Louis, M., Kowalski, SD.[2017]

In a study of 49 women undergoing microvascular breast reconstruction, lavender oil did not show significant benefits over a placebo in reducing anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, or pain during the perioperative period.

Despite the lack of efficacy, lavender oil was found to be safe, with no adverse events or complications reported, indicating it does not pose additional risks when used in this context.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effect of Lavender Oil on Perioperative Pain, Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep after Microvascular Breast Reconstruction: A Prospective, Single-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial. Shammas, RL., Marks, CE., Broadwater, G., et al.[2021]

Inhalation of lavender oil significantly reduced blood pressure post-operatively in patients undergoing wisdom tooth removal, indicating its potential effectiveness in managing anxiety during surgical procedures.

A high percentage of patients (89.68%) reported satisfaction with the lavender oil experience, and 97.62% expressed a desire to use the same protocol again, suggesting that lavender oil is well-received and could be a beneficial addition to anxiety management strategies in dental surgery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of lavender oil inhalation on vital signs and anxiety: A randomized clinical trial. Karan, NB.[2020]

References

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

Topical Aromatherapy: Increasing Staff Knowledge and Alleviating Anxiety in Patients With Cancer. [2023]

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

Aromatherapy for Preoperative Anxiety: A Pilot Study. [2020]

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

The Efficacy of Lavender Aromatherapy in Reducing Preoperative Anxiety in Ambulatory Surgery Patients Undergoing Procedures in General Otolaryngology. [2022]

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

Use of aromatherapy with hospice patients to decrease pain, anxiety, and depression and to promote an increased sense of well-being. [2017]

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

The Effect of Lavender Oil on Perioperative Pain, Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep after Microvascular Breast Reconstruction: A Prospective, Single-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial. [2021]

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

Influence of lavender oil inhalation on vital signs and anxiety: A randomized clinical trial. [2020]

7. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of lavender essential oil on anxiety level in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A double-blinded randomized clinical trial. [2020]

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

Both lavender fleur oil and unscented oil aromatherapy reduce preoperative anxiety in breast surgery patients: a randomized trial. [2017]