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Clinical trial Recruiting at 2 sites Interventional Ages 18 and up

Aromatherapy with peppermint, lavender, or ginger to ease anxiety and nausea during outpatient chemotherapy infusions

Official title: Assessing the Feasibility of Aromatherapy Essential Oil Associated Changes on Nausea in Patients Receiving Infusion in the Ambulatory Setting

Run by City of Hope Medical Center · NCT07126301 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This research will test whether inhaling peppermint, ginger, or lavender essential oils can reduce nausea and anxiety for adults getting outpatient chemotherapy infusions.

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Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment60 (estimated)
SponsorCity of Hope Medical Center
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations2 sites (Duarte, California and 1 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedAugust 6, 2025
Main results expectedJuly 14, 2027
Study endsJuly 14, 2027
Registry record updatedOctober 14, 2026
Trial IDNCT07126301 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults (≥18) with hematologic or solid tumors receiving moderate- to high-emetogenic outpatient chemotherapy, ECOG ≤2, English-speaking, who experienced nausea >3/10 on their last infusion and have at least two remaining infusion appointments.

Probably not a fit

Patients with known aversion or sensitivity to lavender, peppermint, ginger, or jojoba oils, those not on moderate- to high-emetogenic regimens, or those with poor performance status are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized trial assigns adult cancer patients receiving moderate- to high-emetogenic outpatient chemotherapy to inhale peppermint, lavender, ginger, or placebo (jojoba) using a personal inhalation device during infusions and for four days afterward. Patients inhale the assigned oil hourly during infusion and at least three times daily for four days, and complete questionnaires on nausea, anxiety, and satisfaction. Primary objectives are to determine feasibility of offering aromatherapy in the infusion clinic and patient satisfaction; secondary objectives compare changes in nausea and anxiety versus placebo. The trial enrolls English-speaking adults with ECOG ≤2 who reported nausea >3/10 on their last infusion and have at least two remaining infusion appointments.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If effective, aromatherapy could offer a low-risk, drug-free way to reduce nausea and anxiety during and after chemotherapy infusions.

How similar studies have gone: Previous small studies have shown mixed results, with some evidence that ginger and peppermint reduce chemotherapy-related nausea and lavender may reduce anxiety.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients must have the ability to understand and sign a written informed consent document, and be willing to follow protocol requirements
* Ability to read and understand English for patient reported outcomes
* Age \>= 18 years
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =\< 2
* Willingness to comply with all study interventions of essential oil aromatherapy
* Have been on a moderate- to high-risk emetogenic chemotherapy regimen as defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) for at least 1 cycle of therapy
* At least 2 remaining infusion appointments on a moderate- to high-risk emetogenic chemotherapy regimen as defined by the NCCN
* Have nausea defined as \> 3/10 with last chemotherapy infusion based on screening symptom questionnaire
* The study is open to all participants regardless of gender, race, or ethnicity

Exclusion Criteria:

* Self-reported aversion or sensitivity to lavender oil, peppermint oil, ginger oil, jojoba oil
* Uncontrolled respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
* Mental incapacitation (ex. stroke, brain metastasis etc.) that would cause inability to follow directions, in the opinion of the investigators
* Ongoing uncontrolled active psychiatric condition that would interfere in the conduct of the study (e.g., mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis disorders, or substance use)
* Self-reported abnormal smelling abilities (for ex: ongoing sinus infections, long covid, etc.)
* Aromatherapy use in the last 30 days

Where it's running

  • City of Hope Medical Center
    Duarte, California, United States     Recruiting
  • City of Hope at Irvine Lennar
    Irvine, California, United States     Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Richard T Lee — City of Hope Medical Center

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.