Aromatherapy inhaler to reduce distress after a hematopoietic stem cell transplant
Aromatherapy Inhaler Use for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patient Distress
We will test whether using a lavender or peppermint aromatherapy inhaler in the first days after a hematopoietic stem cell transplant helps reduce cancer-related distress and improve coping.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 19 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Stanford University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | CART, Chimeric Antigen Receptor, chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Stanford, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT05302583 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional study provides HSCT patients with a lavender or peppermint aromatherapy inhaler on a single post-transplant day and compares distress and coping to a standard-of-care washout day. The protocol includes an initial aromatherapy day (post-transplant day +1 to +3), a washout day with only standard pharmacologic care, and a follow-up phase day (post-transplant day +3 to +5), with activities occurring on one day per phase. A three-day window for the aromatherapy phases accommodates patients' variable recovery in the immediate post-transplant period. Outcomes focus on short-term changes in distress and coping during the early post-transplant course.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults over 18 with hematologic malignancies undergoing planned autologous or allogeneic HSCT at Stanford who can consent and are not allergic to lavender or peppermint are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Patients allergic to lavender or peppermint, those receiving CAR T-cell therapy, those transplanted for germ cell tumors, or patients with atrial fibrillation, scleroderma, or G6PD deficiency are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, aromatherapy inhalers could provide a low-risk, nonpharmacologic option to reduce short-term distress and support coping after HSCT.
How similar studies have performed: Prior small trials of inhaled aromatherapy in cancer and perioperative contexts have shown modest reductions in anxiety and distress, but overall evidence is limited and mixed.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Autologous and Allogeneic patients admitted to E1 for planned HSCT * Patients with hematologic malignancies requiring HSCT * No allergies to lavender or peppermint essential oils * Must have received chemotherapy during preparative regimen (single or multi-agent regimen) * Adult patient over 18 years of age * Able to speak, read, and comprehend English * Willing and capable of providing informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Patients admitted for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell (CART) infusion * Patients receiving a transplant for a germ cell tumor diagnosis * Unexpected/unplanned admission (e.g., neutropenic fever, confusion, clinical deterioration) * Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) grade 1 through 4 * History of scleroderma * History of atrial fibrillation * Known history of G6PD deficiency * Allergic to lavender or peppermint essential oils * Pediatric patient 18 years of age or less * Unable to speak, read, and comprehend English * Unwilling or incapable of providing informed consent
Where this trial is running
Stanford, California
- Stanford University — Stanford, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Anna Oh, PhD, MPH, RN — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Aubrey Florom-Smith, PhD, RN
- Email: aubsmith@stanford.edu
- Phone: 650-285-9512
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.