Aromatherapy for Chemotherapy-induced Symptoms

NCT ID: NCT02670941

Last Updated: 2019-01-24

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

TERMINATED

Clinical Phase

EARLY_PHASE1

Total Enrollment

31 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2016-01-31

Study Completion Date

2018-09-12

Brief Summary

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The rationale behind the proposed study is to determine the initial effectiveness of aromatherapy in relief of commonly reported symptoms in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Detailed Description

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The proposed study is an exploratory trial to evaluate the use of aromatherapy for symptom management in patients undergoing chemotherapy. The investigators will accrue 120 adult cancer subjects undergoing chemotherapy in a initial efficacy study to determine the effectiveness of three different aromatherapies (ginger, lavender, or orange) on chemotherapy-related symptoms (nausea, vomiting, pain, anxiety, sleep difficulties, fatigue, and lack of appetite) compared to placebo (i.e., jojoba). All subjects will be randomized to one of the four arms for symptom management during three different chemotherapy cycles. The investigators will examine the incidence and severity of the seven symptoms at each chemotherapy cycle. The preliminary data from this study will elucidate the relationships between certain aromatherapies and specific symptom relief, which can be further evaluated in a larger confirmatory study of subjects undergoing chemotherapy or other types of cancer treatment. This study will provide clinical evidence regarding the incorporation of aromatherapy into cancer patient care.

Conditions

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Chemotherapy Symptoms

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Ginger

Subjects will use the aromatherapy inhalers through three chemotherapy treatment cycles (i.e., Study Cycle 1, Study Cycle 2, and Study Cycle 3). During each Study Cycle, subjects will start the aromatherapy inhaler on the day before the start of their chemotherapy treatment cycle (Day 0) and continue using the inhaler for the next six consecutive days (Day 1-Day 6), including the day he/she starts their chemotherapy treatment cycle. The subjects will remove the cover of the aromatherapy inhaler, place the aromatherapy inhaler under their nose and inhale three times with deep breathing (i.e., three sniffs). After use, the inhaler should be capped to minimize dispersal of the scent. Subjects will take 3 sniffs of the aromatherapy inhaler four times daily (morning, noon, evening, bedtime).

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Ginger

Intervention Type DRUG

The ginger oil (GIN-106) was steam distilled from fresh ginger grown in Madagascar. The ginger oil contains 64.23% sesquiterpenes, 18.5% monoterpenes, and 3.28% aldehydes. The aroma of ginger is described as spicy, sweet, and warm.

Lavender

Subjects will use the aromatherapy inhalers through three chemotherapy treatment cycles (i.e., Study Cycle 1, Study Cycle 2, and Study Cycle 3). During each Study Cycle, subjects will start the aromatherapy inhaler on the day before the start of their chemotherapy treatment cycle (Day 0) and continue using the inhaler for the next six consecutive days (Day 1-Day 6), including the day he/she starts their chemotherapy treatment cycle. The subjects will remove the cover of the aromatherapy inhaler, place the aromatherapy inhaler under their nose and inhale three times with deep breathing (i.e., three sniffs). After use, the inhaler should be capped to minimize dispersal of the scent. Subjects will take 3 sniffs of the aromatherapy inhaler four times daily (morning, noon, evening, bedtime).

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Lavender

Intervention Type DRUG

The lavender oil (LAV-110) was steam distilled from lavender grown in Kashmir Valley in India. The lavender oil contains 53.22% esters, 31.86% monoterpenols, and 4.88% oxides. The aroma of lavender is described as floral, fresh, herbaceous, and sweet.

Orange

Subjects will use the aromatherapy inhalers through three chemotherapy treatment cycles (i.e., Study Cycle 1, Study Cycle 2, and Study Cycle 3). During each Study Cycle, subjects will start the aromatherapy inhaler on the day before the start of their chemotherapy treatment cycle (Day 0) and continue using the inhaler for the next six consecutive days (Day 1-Day 6), including the day he/she starts their chemotherapy treatment cycle. The subjects will remove the cover of the aromatherapy inhaler, place the aromatherapy inhaler under their nose and inhale three times with deep breathing (i.e., three sniffs). After use, the inhaler should be capped to minimize dispersal of the scent. Subjects will take 3 sniffs of the aromatherapy inhaler four times daily (morning, noon, evening, bedtime).

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Orange

Intervention Type DRUG

The orange oil (ORG-114) was cold-pressed and steam distilled from oranges in South Africa. The orange oil contains 97.21% monoterpenes, 0.73% aldehydes, and 0.7% monoterpenols. The aroma of orange is described as citrus, fresh, fruity, and sweet.

Jojoba

Subjects will use the aromatherapy inhalers through three chemotherapy treatment cycles (i.e., Study Cycle 1, Study Cycle 2, and Study Cycle 3). During each Study Cycle, subjects will start the aromatherapy inhaler on the day before the start of their chemotherapy treatment cycle (Day 0) and continue using the inhaler for the next six consecutive days (Day 1-Day 6), including the day he/she starts their chemotherapy treatment cycle. The subjects will remove the cover of the aromatherapy inhaler, place the aromatherapy inhaler under their nose and inhale three times with deep breathing (i.e., three sniffs). After use, the inhaler should be capped to minimize dispersal of the scent. Subjects will take 3 sniffs of the aromatherapy inhaler four times daily (morning, noon, evening, bedtime).

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Jojoba

Intervention Type DRUG

The jojoba oil is certified organic and pesticide-free pure oil. Jojoba has a mild scent and can be used as a "fixative" for other essential oils.

Interventions

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Ginger

The ginger oil (GIN-106) was steam distilled from fresh ginger grown in Madagascar. The ginger oil contains 64.23% sesquiterpenes, 18.5% monoterpenes, and 3.28% aldehydes. The aroma of ginger is described as spicy, sweet, and warm.

Intervention Type DRUG

Lavender

The lavender oil (LAV-110) was steam distilled from lavender grown in Kashmir Valley in India. The lavender oil contains 53.22% esters, 31.86% monoterpenols, and 4.88% oxides. The aroma of lavender is described as floral, fresh, herbaceous, and sweet.

Intervention Type DRUG

Orange

The orange oil (ORG-114) was cold-pressed and steam distilled from oranges in South Africa. The orange oil contains 97.21% monoterpenes, 0.73% aldehydes, and 0.7% monoterpenols. The aroma of orange is described as citrus, fresh, fruity, and sweet.

Intervention Type DRUG

Jojoba

The jojoba oil is certified organic and pesticide-free pure oil. Jojoba has a mild scent and can be used as a "fixative" for other essential oils.

Intervention Type DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Non-pregnant adults between the ages of 21 to 89 years of age with diagnosis of cancer and be scheduled to receive at least three more cycles of chemotherapy.
* Subjects must have had at least one chemotherapy cycle in their current prescribed course and have at least three additional chemotherapy cycles planned.
* Day 1 of each chemotherapy cycle must be separated from Day 1 of the next chemotherapy cycles by at least 12 days.
* All chemotherapy regimens are eligible.
* Any number of chemotherapy administrations per week during a chemotherapy treatment cycle is allowed.
* Subjects agree to discontinue any current aromatherapy usage and only use the study aromatherapy for symptom management during the course of the study. NOTE: Patients can continue to use scented soaps, lotions, shampoos, body sprays, perfume/cologne, candles, or air fresheners that they regularly use.
* Subjects must be able to read and understand English, as well as provide informed consent in order to participate in this study.

Exclusion Criteria

* Subjects \< 21 years old or \> 89 years old are not eligible for participation in this study at the University of Rochester.
* Pregnant females are ineligible for the study because pregnancy is a contraindication for chemotherapy and exposure to essentials oils.
* Subjects who are chemotherapy-naïve are ineligible.
* Subjects with more than four weeks between chemotherapy treatment cycles are not eligible.
* Concurrent radiation therapy or interferon treatment is not allowed.
* Subjects that have used or are currently using aromatherapy inhalation for symptom management are not eligible.
* Subjects with any known allergy to ginger, lavender, orange, citrus of any kind, jojoba, or essential oils.
Minimum Eligible Age

21 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

89 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University of Rochester

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Julie Ryan

Assistant Professor of Dermatology

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Julie Ryan, PhD, MPH

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Rochester

Locations

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University of Rochester Medical Center, Wilmot Canter Center

Rochester, New York, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Related Links

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http://naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/safety/

Aromatherapy NAoH. Explore Aromatherapy: Safety Raleigh, NC2015

Other Identifiers

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RSRB57258

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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