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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines whether lavender aromatherapy (using lavender essential oil) can reduce anxiety and unpleasant odors during skin cancer surgery. The aim is to enhance patient comfort without medication. Individuals who have never undergone Mohs surgery and require it for their head or neck at the UH Westlake Dermatology Clinic may be suitable candidates. However, those with lavender allergies, aroma sensitivities, or current cold symptoms should not participate. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore non-medicinal comfort options during surgery.

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 prior data suggests that lavender aromatherapy is safe for reducing anxiety during skin cancer surgery?

Research has shown that lavender aromatherapy is generally safe. Studies have found that inhaling lavender oil can reduce anxiety without major side effects. Lavender has been tested in medical and dental settings and is well-tolerated by most individuals.

One study found that using lavender essential oil during massages effectively and safely manages anxiety and other symptoms. This suggests lavender can serve as a good alternative or addition to other anxiety treatments.

In summary, lavender aromatherapy is considered a safe option for easing anxiety in many situations. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike standard anxiety treatments during skin cancer surgery, which often involve medications like benzodiazepines or SSRIs, lavender aromatherapy offers a natural alternative with fewer side effects. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it utilizes the calming properties of lavender essential oil, which is delivered through inhalation using a diffuser. This method is non-invasive and can be easily integrated into the surgical environment, potentially providing quick relief from anxiety without the need for pharmaceuticals.

What evidence suggests that lavender aromatherapy might be an effective treatment for anxiety during skin cancer surgery?

This trial will compare the effects of lavender aromatherapy with a placebo during skin cancer surgery. Research has shown that lavender aromatherapy can reduce anxiety during surgeries. Studies have found that inhaling lavender essential oil lowers anxiety levels in various surgical settings. In some cases, lavender proved as effective, or even more effective, than medication for easing anxiety. Its calming effects have been observed in medical and dental settings, suggesting potential benefits during skin cancer surgery, such as Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS). Overall, evidence supports lavender aromatherapy as a promising non-drug option to help patients feel more comfortable and less anxious. ^{1 2 4 5 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Bryan Carroll, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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

I have never had Mohs surgery.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants with lavender allergies

Participants with aroma sensitivities

I am currently experiencing symptoms of a cold or flu.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10671255/

Anxiety-Reducing Effects of Lavender Essential Oil Inhalation The results of this review showed decreased anxiety levels regardless of the lavender species used. This review provides evidence supporting ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06167096

Effects of Lavender Aromatherapy on Patient Anxiety ... This study aims to improve patient comfort by exploring the potential of lavender aromatherapy in reducing anxiety and unpleasant odor perception during Mohs ...

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-cancer-of-the-skin-3-2024-b2bcc

Lavender Aromatherapy for Anxiety During Skin Cancer ... Research shows that lavender aromatherapy can help reduce anxiety in patients undergoing various types of surgeries, including breast and otolaryngology ...

4. cancer.gov cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/NCI-2025-03005

Lavender Aromatherapy for Reducing Anxiety for Patients ... This clinical trial tests how well lavender aromatherapy works for reducing anxiety in patients during Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS).

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876382023000999

Effects of aromatherapy on anxiety in patients with cancer In fact, some studies have suggested that lavender essential oil may be more effective than medication in relieving anxiety symptoms [13]. As a result, ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7043716/

Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Aroma Massage with ... Aroma massage with lavender essential oil may be beneficial as a complementary and integrative therapy for the symptomatic management of various conditions.