Aromatherapy to Reduce Stress in Nurses: A Pilot Study

Purpose of StudyThis pilot study evaluated the feasibility and estimated the effect size of an intervention using direct-inhalation aromatherapy personal nasal inhalers as a potential complementary modality to support nurse well-being, resilience, and the capacity to provide compassionate care by reducing perceived stress in the workplace.Design of StudyNon-randomized, pre-post intervention pilot design.Methods UsedNurses were recruited from 11 clinical sites. Participants used a nasal inhaler containing a blend of lavender, frankincense, and bergamot essential oils over a 2-week intervention period. Stress was measured using weekly self-report surveys and the 4-item perceived stress scale (PSS-4) at baseline and post-intervention.FindingsFifty-nine nurses (registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses) from inpatient and outpatient settings participated. The sample was predominantly female, aged 45-54, primarily of Asian descent, with bachelor's prepared, with 16-20 years of experience, and largely working in primary care. The primary outcome showed a 0.76-point reduction in PSS-4 scores. Secondary outcomes demonstrated reductions in self-reported stress. Implementation and outcome measurement were feasible across diverse clinical environments.ConclusionsDirect-inhalation aromatherapy may offer a low-cost intervention with the potential to enhance nurse well-being and reduce stress. A future hypothesis-testing trial is feasible with respect to intervention delivery, outcome measurement, and sample size.Trial RegistrationPRS review pending with clinicaltrials.gov (Unique protocol ID:1782433-3).