A Randomized Controlled Trial of Aromatherapy to Reduce Symptom Burden in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell...

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of aromatherapy on symptom burden and associated outcomes.

92 inpatients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on hematology-oncology units in an academic hospital.

Participants in this pilot randomized controlled trial received essential oil-infused or blank aromatherapy patches and completed a symptom journal. Mixed-model analysis of variance was used to analyze chemotherapy-induced nausea, vomiting, and retching (CINVR) and anxiety symptoms. A t test was used to analyze medications administered for CINVR. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze additional study aims.

There was no significant difference in mean symptom scores or medications administered between the intervention and control groups. On a 1-10 rating scale (10 = extremely satisfied/extremely likely), aromatherapy was rated 8 or higher for satisfaction (n = 50) and likeliness to use again (n = 53).

Aromatherapy can be used for holistic symptom management to improve the patient experience.