Actively Recruiting
Aromatherapy Essential Oils to Manage Anxiety and Nausea in Cancer Patients Receiving Infusion in the Ambulatory Setting
Led by City of Hope Medical Center · Updated on 2025-08-17
60
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
77 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
C
City of Hope Medical Center
Lead Sponsor
N
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This clinical trial tests how well aromatherapy essential oils work to manage anxiety and nausea in cancer patients receiving infusions in the ambulatory setting. Current drugs that are given for nausea may cause constipation and fatigue. Therefore, there is interest in exploring complementary therapies, like aromatherapy, that do not carry the same side effects. Using aromatherapy essential oils such as ginger, peppermint, and lavender, may help reduce nausea and anxiety. Some studies have shown significant reductions in nausea and anxiety among cancer patients using these oils, while other studies have had mixed results. Ginger and peppermint oils, in particular, have been associated with helping reduce nausea during chemotherapy, while lavender has shown potential benefits for anxiety. Jojoba oil will be used as a placebo for this research study. Jojoba oil is extracted from the seeds of a jojoba plant, which is a green shrub that is found in the southwestern United States). Jojoba oil is an oil which has no color or smell. Aromatherapy essential oils used through a personal inhalation device during chemotherapy may better manage anxiety and nausea in cancer patients receiving infusions in the ambulatory setting.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Aromatherapy Essential Oils to Manage Anxiety and Nausea in Cancer Patients Receiving Infusion in the Ambulatory Setting
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Patients must be able to understand and sign informed consent and follow study instructions
- Ability to read and understand English for patient-reported outcomes
- Age 18 years or older
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 2 or less
- Willing to comply with all aromatherapy essential oil treatments
- Receiving moderate- to high-risk emetogenic chemotherapy as defined by NCCN for at least one cycle
- Have at least two remaining chemotherapy infusion appointments on a moderate- to high-risk regimen
- Experienced nausea greater than 3 out of 10 with last chemotherapy infusion
- Open to all genders, races, and ethnicities
You will not qualify if you...
- Self-reported sensitivity or aversion to lavender, peppermint, ginger, or jojoba oils
- Uncontrolled respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD
- Mental incapacitation preventing ability to follow directions
- Uncontrolled active psychiatric conditions that interfere with study participation
- Self-reported abnormal smell abilities (e.g., sinus infections, long COVID)
- Used aromatherapy in the last 30 days
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
City of Hope Medical Center
Duarte, California, United States, 91010
Actively Recruiting
2
City of Hope at Irvine Lennar
Irvine, California, United States, 92618
Actively Recruiting
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
4
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here