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Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy for Reducing Nausea and Vomiting in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

NCT ID: NCT07292831

Last Updated: 2025-12-18

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

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

90 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-01-01

Study Completion Date

2024-12-01

Brief Summary

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Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remain among the most distressing side effects experienced by cancer patients and can significantly affect treatment tolerance and quality of life. Geranium essential oil has been proposed as a complementary, non-pharmacological therapy that may help reduce nausea and vomiting through its calming and antiemetic properties.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the potential effectiveness of geranium inhalation aromatherapy in reducing nausea and vomiting among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Ninety participants undergoing intravenous chemotherapy will be enrolled and randomly assigned to either the geranium aromatherapy group or the control group. The intervention group will receive inhalation of geranium essential oil, while the control group will receive no aromatherapy.Nausea and vomiting will be measured using the validated Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching (INVR) before chemotherapy and 12 hours afterward. This study is designed to explore whether geranium inhalation aromatherapy may serve as a supportive complementary therapy to enhance comfort and overall quality of life for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Detailed Description

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Chemotherapy is a primary treatment modality for many types of cancer but is frequently accompanied by adverse effects, particularly nausea and vomiting. These symptoms are triggered by complex interactions between neurotransmitters and receptors in both the gastrointestinal and central nervous systems. Although antiemetic medications have improved over the years, many patients continue to experience discomfort that negatively affects their quality of life. Complementary therapies such as aromatherapy are increasingly explored as supportive approaches to help alleviate these symptoms. Geranium essential oil (Pelargonium graveolens) possesses calming, anti-inflammatory, and potential antiemetic properties. Inhalation aromatherapy is thought to reduce nausea by stimulating olfactory pathways associated with relaxation and autonomic regulation. This study aims to investigate the potential benefit of geranium inhalation aromatherapy as an adjunct to standard chemotherapy care. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) involves 90 cancer patients undergoing intravenous chemotherapy at a public hospital in Surakarta, Indonesia. Participants are selected through simple random sampling. Inclusion criteria include patients aged under 65 years, with a BMI of 18.5-22.9 kg/m², receiving chemotherapy regimen 1, and willing to provide informed consent. Participants will be randomized into two groups: a treatment group receiving geranium inhalation aromatherapy and a control group receiving no aromatherapy. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics-including age, gender, education level, occupation, body mass index, duration of illness, cancer stage, hemoglobin levels, leukocyte and platelet counts, kidney function, liver function, and chemotherapy status-will be recorded to ensure comparability between groups. Geranium aromatherapy will be administered through inhalation, a method known to deliver rapid olfactory stimulation and promote relaxation. Nausea and vomiting will be assessed using the Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching (INVR), a reliable and widely used instrument for evaluating chemotherapy-related gastrointestinal symptoms. Measurements will be collected at baseline and 12 hours after chemotherapy. This study is expected to provide additional insight into the feasibility, safety, and potential role of aromatherapy-specifically geranium essential oil-in supporting the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting as part of a holistic approach to cancer care.

Conditions

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Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV) Cancer

Keywords

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Cancer Chemotherapy Geranium Aromatherapy Nausea Vomiting

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: a geranium aromatherapy group and a control group without aromatherapy.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Geranium Aromatherapy

Participants in this arm received geranium essential oil inhalation aromatherapy during chemotherapy. The aromatherapy was administered by allowing patients to inhale geranium essential oil through a controlled inhalation method. This intervention was provided during the chemotherapy session, and nausea/vomiting levels were assessed before and 12 hours after chemotherapy using the Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching (INVR).

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants received inhalation aromatherapy using geranium essential oil (Pelargonium graveolens). The essential oil was administered through controlled inhalation during the chemotherapy session. Patients inhaled the aroma directly, allowing olfactory stimulation intended to reduce nausea and vomiting. The intervention was applied according to a standardized protocol, and nausea/vomiting were assessed before and 12 hours after chemotherapy using the Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching (INVR).

Control (No Aromatherapy)

Participants in this arm did not receive any aromatherapy or additional supportive intervention. They underwent chemotherapy according to the standard hospital protocol. Nausea and vomiting were assessed at baseline and 12 hours after chemotherapy using the Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching (INVR).

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy

Participants received inhalation aromatherapy using geranium essential oil (Pelargonium graveolens). The essential oil was administered through controlled inhalation during the chemotherapy session. Patients inhaled the aroma directly, allowing olfactory stimulation intended to reduce nausea and vomiting. The intervention was applied according to a standardized protocol, and nausea/vomiting were assessed before and 12 hours after chemotherapy using the Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching (INVR).

Intervention Type OTHER

Other Intervention Names

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Geranium Essential Oil Aromatherapy with Geranium Oil

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Diagnosed with cancer.
2. Currently undergoing intravenous chemotherapy regimen 1.
3. Aged under 65 years.
4. Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 22.9 kg/m².
5. Able and willing to provide informed consent.
6. Able to communicate and follow study instructions.

Exclusion Criteria

Known allergy or sensitivity to essential oils or fragrances
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Fahrun Nur Rosyid

Head of Quality Assurance Group

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Faculty of Health Sciences FIK UMS

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta

Locations

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RSUD Dr. Moewardi Surakarta

Surakarta, Centre Java, Indonesia

Site Status

Countries

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Indonesia

Other Identifiers

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UMS-GERANIUM-RCT2025

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id