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Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupressure as an Adjunctive Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
Published on: June 21, 2024
Effects of aromatherapy inhalation on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A controlled trial
Debbie Anglade1, Caterine Diaz2, Roberto Roman Laporte3
1School of Nursing & Health Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States.
Purpose:
This study aimed to determine whether aromatherapy inhalation would reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) among cancer patients receiving moderate to high emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) regimen.
Methods:
One hundred participants (control = 48; intervention = 52) receiving moderate to HEC treatment were enrolled in a two-arm control trial design. Participants in the control group followed physician-prescribed antiemetic treatment. Participants in the intervention group followed physician-prescribed antiemetic treatment and received an aromatherapy inhaler intervention for use at the first sign of CINV and as needed. Consented study participants were seen by a study team member over four time points during which the participants would complete the established instruments with scoring procedures and validity evidence.
Results:
The use of the aromatherapy inhaler resulted in a reduction in CINV and antiemetic medication in the intervention group. The control group reported 522 instances of medication usage at visit one; 417 instances of medication usage at visit two; and 409 instances of medication usage at visit three. The intervention group reported 136 instances of medication use at visit one; 145 instances of medication use at visit two; and 142 instances of medication use at visit three. Similar to the patterns observed for pharmacological interventions, the control group also reported higher rates of the use of non-pharmacological interventions including tea, water/electrolytes, soup, and food compared to the intervention group.
Conclusion:
The findings from this randomized clinical trial highlight the potential benefits of aromatherapy inhalation as a complementary therapy for managing CINV.
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