Aromatherapy with peppermint, lavender, or ginger to ease anxiety and nausea during outpatient chemotherapy infusions
Assessing the Feasibility of Aromatherapy Essential Oil Associated Changes on Nausea in Patients Receiving Infusion in the Ambulatory Setting
NA · City of Hope Medical Center · NCT07126301
This research will test whether inhaling peppermint, ginger, or lavender essential oils can reduce nausea and anxiety for adults getting outpatient chemotherapy infusions.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | City of Hope Medical Center (other) |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 2 sites (Duarte, California and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07126301 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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.
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.
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 performed: Previous small studies have shown mixed results, with some evidence that ginger and peppermint reduce chemotherapy-related nausea and lavender may reduce anxiety.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
Duarte, California and 1 other locations
- 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
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.
Conditions: Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm, Malignant Solid Neoplasm