Effectiveness of Aromatherapy
Conditions
Keywords
aromatherapy, acute care unit, medical surgical unit, inhaled aromatherapy
Brief summary
The purpose of this interventional study is to investigate the effects of aromatherapy on an acute care unit and whether it is effective in decreasing physical or emotional stressors that occur as a hospitalized patient. This study aimed to expand the limited literature on aromatherapy use in hospitalized adults and its effectiveness in decreasing pain, anxiety, and nausea. The hypothesis was that use of aromatherapy would decrease pain, anxiety and nausea in hospitalized adults and increase patient satisfaction. While there is anecdotal evidence of its efficacy, few studies exist evaluating its effectiveness within peer-reviewed journals, specifically on acute care medical surgical units.
Detailed description
The goal for the study was to collect a sample of one hundred adult patients admitted to an acute care medical surgical unit. A quasi-experimental study with a single-arm pre-/post-test design evaluated one-time use of inhaled aromatherapy on hospitalized adults on an acute care unit. Pre-test tools included a numeric pain rating scale, facial anxiety scale and Halpin's 0-5 nausea scale. Aromatherapy (Elequil aromatabs) was administered for 8 hours. Sleep, satisfaction, well-being, and concurrent medication use were assessed post-aromatherapy. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. These subjects had to be conscious, oriented, able to consent, and able to understand the purpose of the study. Exclusion criteria were otolaryngology free flap patients (as this was a study being conducted on an otolaryngology acute care unit and another study was occurring with this population), patients with known allergies to essential oils, those taking sleep medications, or who have an aroma/essential oil contraindication. The use of a pre and post survey was used to measure the effectiveness of aromatherapy on pain, anxiety, and nausea. A baseline assessment was made of these ailments via Qualtrix. Subjects chose the aromatherapy tab fragrance that best fit their chief complaint, which was placed on their gown. After eight hours, a post-application survey to assess pain, anxiety, nausea, sleep/relaxation, overall satisfaction, and overall wellbeing was administered via Qualtrix. A numeric pain scale from 0-10, a 0-5 Likert Anxiety scale and a 0-5 nausea scale were used to measure efficacy. Sleep, satisfaction, and wellbeing was assessed with yes/no. A chart review to determine any measurable benefits in the reduction of related medications while using aromatherapy was to be conducted once one hundred subjects were obtained. The period for this study was approximately fifteen months.
Interventions
DEVICEElequil aromatab
Aromatherapy impregnated tab utilized to dispense inhaled scent for the study
Sponsors
University of California, Davis
Beekley Medical
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
To collect a sample of one hundred adult patients admitted to an acute care medical surgical unit. A quasi-experimental study with a single-arm pre-/post-test design evaluated one-time use of inhaled aromatherapy on hospitalized adults on an acute care unit. Pre-test tools included a numeric pain rating scale, facial anxiety scale and 0-5 nausea scale by Halpin et al. Aromatherapy (Elequil aromatabs) was administered for 8 hours. Sleep, satisfaction, well-being, and concurrent medication use were assessed post-aromatherapy.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Age 18 years or older, * Admission to Tower 4 for an anticipated inpatient stay \>24 hours, * Alert and oriented, * Capable of using a visual scale to self-report symptoms, * Naïve to the use of aromatherapy for the use of decreasing pain, anxiety and/or nausea to participate, * Not on a pediatric service.
Exclusion criteria
* Cognitively impaired, * Post-op from an otolaryngologic surgery (another study was being conducted concurrently with this patient population and we did not want to interfere with those results), * Known impaired olfactory function (limited or no sense of smell), * On any psychiatric holds (e.g., 5150's), * Known allergies to essential oils, * Sensitive or allergic to plants (specifically to lavender plants, orange blossoms, sandalwood trees, or peppermint leaves) as essential oils are natural aromas derived from plants, * Active participant of another Research Protocol, * Admitted as a "short stay" or on "observation" status, * Have a known history of Atrial Fibrillation. The use of peppermint has known effects on stimulating atrial fibrillation, * Is a prisoner, * Known pregnancy, or * Expected to be transferred out of Tower 4 and/or discharged from the hospital within twenty-four hours.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Numerical Rating Pain Scale | Pre-Post Aromatherapy Administration (8 hours) | The Numerical Rating Pain Scale measures pain experienced right now based on a 11-point Likert scale with choices of 0 = no pain, 5 = Moderate pain, 10 = Worst possible pain. |
| Nausea Scale | Pre-Post Aromatherapy Administration (8 hours) | Nausea Scale: 0-5 Nausea Scale. 0 - No nausea and 5 - severe nausea |
| Anxiety Likert Scale | Pre-Post Aromatherapy Admin (8 hours) | This one-item scale consisted of five evenly spaced numbers each anchored to a level of anxiety (0 = not at all anxious, 2 = a little anxious, 3 = moderately anxious, 4 = very anxious, 5 = extremely anxious). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Satisfaction | 8 hours | The use of a post-survey to evaluate effectiveness of aromatherapy on patient satisfaction using a yes or no response. |
| Well-being | 8 hours | The use of a post-survey to evaluate effectiveness of aromatherapy on the subject's well-being using a yes or no response. |
| Increased Sleep | 8 hours | The use of a post-survey to evaluate effectiveness of aromatherapy in increasing sleep using a yes or no response. |
Countries
United States
Participant flow
Recruitment details
The study took place from December 1, 2020 to May 1, 2022.This study aimed to collect a sample of one hundred adult patients admitted to an acute care medical surgical unit.
Pre-assignment details
Ninety-four subjects of the intended one hundred were enrolled and consented. Sixty-four completed the study in its entirety, with both pre- and post-surveys being administered. Reasons for not having a post-survey completed: lack of communication of when the post- survey should be given, patient was asleep, no investigator working to administer the post-test, or the post-test was simply forgotten. One participant did not complete the study because it was stated that the scent was too strong.
Participants by arm
| Arm | Count |
|---|---|
| Aromatherapy Aromatab Interventional aromatherapy tab used to deliver inhaled aromatherapy to participants
Use of an Elequil aromatab which is an aromatherapy impregnated tab utilized to dispense inhaled scent for the study. Each tab is impregnated with a specific essential oil that corresponds to either pain, anxiety or nausea. | 94 |
| Total | 94 |
Baseline characteristics
| Characteristic | Aromatherapy Aromatab |
|---|---|
| Age, Customized Age of Participant >18 to 65 | 80 Participants |
| Age, Customized Age of Participant >65 | 14 Participants |
| Sex/Gender, Customized Female | 59 participants |
| Sex/Gender, Customized Male | 35 participants |
Adverse events
| Event type | EG000 affected / at risk |
|---|---|
| deaths Total, all-cause mortality | 0 / 94 |
| other Total, other adverse events | 0 / 94 |
| serious Total, serious adverse events | 0 / 94 |
Outcome results
Primary
Anxiety Likert Scale
This one-item scale consisted of five evenly spaced numbers each anchored to a level of anxiety (0 = not at all anxious, 2 = a little anxious, 3 = moderately anxious, 4 = very anxious, 5 = extremely anxious).
Time frame: Pre-Post Aromatherapy Admin (8 hours)
Population: Number of subjects utilizing aromatherapy to decrease anxiety.
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aromatherapy Aromatab | Anxiety Likert Scale | Pre-score for subjects utilizing aromatherapy to decrease anxiety | 2.6 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 1.9 |
| Aromatherapy Aromatab | Anxiety Likert Scale | Post-score for subjects utilizing aromatherapy for symptom management for anxiety | 1.8 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 1.6 |
p-value: <0.0001ANCOVA
Primary
Nausea Scale
Nausea Scale: 0-5 Nausea Scale. 0 - No nausea and 5 - severe nausea
Time frame: Pre-Post Aromatherapy Administration (8 hours)
Population: Total number of subjects participating in the study
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aromatherapy Aromatab | Nausea Scale | Pre-score for subjects utilizing aromatherapy to decrease nausea | 1.5 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 1.7 |
| Aromatherapy Aromatab | Nausea Scale | Post-score for subjects utilizing aromatherapy for symptom management for nausea | 1.2 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 1.6 |
p-value: 0.13ANCOVA
Primary
Numerical Rating Pain Scale
The Numerical Rating Pain Scale measures pain experienced right now based on a 11-point Likert scale with choices of 0 = no pain, 5 = Moderate pain, 10 = Worst possible pain.
Time frame: Pre-Post Aromatherapy Administration (8 hours)
Population: Number of subjects utilizing aromatherapy tabs to decrease pain
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aromatherapy Aromatab | Numerical Rating Pain Scale | Pre-score for subjects utilizing Aromatherapy for pain | 5.7 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 3 |
| Aromatherapy Aromatab | Numerical Rating Pain Scale | Post-score for subjects utilizing Aromatherapy for symptom management for pain | 5.3 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 2.9 |
| Aromatherapy Aromatab | Numerical Rating Pain Scale | Pain: Post vs Pre | -1 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 2.9 |
p-value: 0.008ANCOVA
Secondary
Increased Sleep
The use of a post-survey to evaluate effectiveness of aromatherapy in increasing sleep using a yes or no response.
Time frame: 8 hours
Population: Number of subjects utilizing aromatherapy to measure its effectiveness on sleep
| Arm | Measure | Category | Value (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aromatherapy Aromatab | Increased Sleep | Number of subjects utilizing aromatherapy to measure its effectiveness on increasing sleep. | 55 Participants |
| Aromatherapy Aromatab | Increased Sleep | Number of subjects utilizing aromatherapy resulting in a decrease in sleep. | 10 Participants |
| Aromatherapy Aromatab | Increased Sleep | Number of unknown responses. | 29 Participants |
p-value: 0.02ANCOVA
Secondary
Patient Satisfaction
The use of a post-survey to evaluate effectiveness of aromatherapy on patient satisfaction using a yes or no response.
Time frame: 8 hours
Population: Number of subjects utilizing aromatherapy to measure its effectiveness on patient satisfaction.
| Arm | Measure | Category | Value (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aromatherapy Aromatab | Patient Satisfaction | Number of subjects utilizing aromatherapy resulting in an increase in patient satisfaction | 47 Participants |
| Aromatherapy Aromatab | Patient Satisfaction | Number of subjects utilizing aromatherapy resulting in a decrease in patient satisfaction | 17 Participants |
| Aromatherapy Aromatab | Patient Satisfaction | Number of unknown responses | 30 Participants |
p-value: 0.02t-test, 2 sided
Secondary
Well-being
The use of a post-survey to evaluate effectiveness of aromatherapy on the subject's well-being using a yes or no response.
Time frame: 8 hours
Population: Number of subjects utilizing aromatherapy to measure its effectiveness on the subject's well-being.
| Arm | Measure | Category | Value (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aromatherapy Aromatab | Well-being | Number of subjects utilizing aromatherapy resulting in an increase in patient well-being | 50 Participants |
| Aromatherapy Aromatab | Well-being | Number of subjects utilizing aromatherapy resulting in a decrease in patient well-being | 19 Participants |
| Aromatherapy Aromatab | Well-being | Number of unknown responses | 25 Participants |
p-value: 0.02ANCOVA