Aromatherapy to reduce nausea and vomiting after total joint replacement
A Randomized Control Trial on the Efficacy of Aromatherapy in Reducing Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Total Joint Replacement Patients
This trial will test whether scented patches (lavender-sandalwood or orange-ginger) reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting in adults having total joint replacement surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 159 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Wong Tai Sin, Hong Kong) |
| Trial ID | NCT07281885 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled trial will enroll 159 adults undergoing total joint replacement and randomize them into three groups: aromatherapy patches plus standard care, placebo patch plus standard care, or standard care alone. Nausea and vomiting will be measured with the Rhodes Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching at baseline, 30 minutes after the intervention, and every 12 hours after surgery. Patient satisfaction will be captured using a 5-point Likert scale, with primary analysis focused on RINVR scores and secondary analysis on satisfaction. The trial is conducted at Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital with collaborators from Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older scheduled for total joint replacement at Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital who can provide consent and are not allergic to the patch ingredients or micropore tape.
Not a fit: Patients with cognitive impairment, allergies to lavender, orange, ginger, sandalwood, or micropore tape, or those already receiving other PONV therapies are not eligible and would not receive potential benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience less postoperative nausea and vomiting and higher satisfaction during recovery, potentially reducing discomfort and improving early recovery.
How similar studies have performed: Previous small randomized trials and systematic reviews of aromatherapy for postoperative and chemotherapy-related nausea have reported mixed but sometimes positive results, so the approach has preliminary support though not definitive proof.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 or above * Patients scheduled for total joint replacement surgery at the HKBH Exclusion Criteria: * Cognitive impairments * Allergy to lavender, orange, ginger, or sandalwood * Allergy to micro-pore tape * Allergy to opioid medication * Undergoing other therapeutic treatment for PONV control, except prescribed medications
Where this trial is running
Wong Tai Sin, Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital — Wong Tai Sin, Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Choi Wan CHAN, APN (NURSING) — Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital
- Study coordinator: Choi Wan CHAN, APN (NURSING)
- Email: cw.chan1@ha.org.hk
- Phone: 852-2339
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.