NCT03858855

Brief Summary

This single-blind, randomized controlled trial studies how well inhaled essential oils work for common quality of life concerns in patients who are undergoing cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and/or immunotherapy given through the vein (intravenously). Aromatherapy using essential oils, such as ginger essential oil, German chamomile essential oil, and bergamot essential oil, may improve quality of life issues such as nausea, anxiety, loss of appetite, and fatigue in patients undergoing treatment for cancer.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
248

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Feb 2019

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

February 18, 2019

Completed
9 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

February 27, 2019

Completed
2 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

March 1, 2019

Completed
1.1 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

April 13, 2020

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

April 13, 2020

Completed
Last Updated

August 4, 2020

Status Verified

July 1, 2020

Enrollment Period

1.2 years

First QC Date

February 27, 2019

Last Update Submit

July 31, 2020

Conditions

Keywords

aromatherapyessential oilsGastrointestinal CancerNeuroendocrine CancerMelanomaskin cancer

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Effects of essential oils on nausea and anxiety

    Levels of nausea and anxiety will be measured using a numerical grading scale of 0-10. 0 will equal "good" meaning no nausea or anxiety. 10 will equal "horrible" meaning the worst nausea or anxiety. Data for each outcome will be collected 3 times a day, for a total of 21 measurements from each subject. For data analysis, we will compress the 21 measures into 3 scores. Each subject will be given a daily outcome level by averaging the 3 measures. The 7 daily outcome levels will become 3 scores by averaging data from days 1 and 2 (Period 1), days 3 and 4 (Period 2), and days 5, 6, and 7 (Period 3). Using the 3 scores, each outcome will be modeled using a repeated measures regression allowing the variability of outcome scores to vary with period. Period, group membership, the interaction between period and group membership, gender, age, and type of cancer will be model predictors. For each outcome, the contrast of interest will be that between each treatment group and the control group.

    Up to 7 days

Secondary Outcomes (4)

  • Determine if decreased levels of nausea and/or anxiety effect appetite and/or fatigue

    Up to 7 days

  • Acceptability of using a personal inhalation bottle for inhalation of essential oils - ease of use

    Up to 7 days

  • Acceptability of using a personal inhalation bottle for inhalation of essential oils - utilization post study period

    Up to 7 days

  • Acceptability of using a personal inhalation bottle for inhalation of essential oils - perception of benefit of essential oil for symptoms

    Up to 7 days

Study Arms (4)

Group I (bergamot essential oil)

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients inhale 7 drops of bergamot essential oil using an essential oil administration bottle TID (morning, midday, and evening) for up to 7 days. Patients also use a journal to document symptoms, time of inhalation, and medication use TID for up to 7 days.

Procedure: Aromatherapy and Essential OilsOther: Subject Diary

Group II (chamomile essential oil)

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients inhale 7 drops of chamomile essential oil and complete journal as in group I.

Procedure: Aromatherapy and Essential OilsOther: Subject Diary

Group III (ginger essential oil)

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients inhale 7 drops of ginger essential oil and complete journal as in group I.

Procedure: Aromatherapy and Essential OilsOther: Subject Diary

Group IV (almond essential oil)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients inhale 7 drops of almond essential oil and complete journal as in group I.

Procedure: Aromatherapy and Essential OilsOther: Subject Diary

Interventions

Use bergamot essential oil

Also known as: Aromatherapy
Group I (bergamot essential oil)

Complete journal

Also known as: Patient Diary, Subj Diary Form, Subject Diary Form
Group I (bergamot essential oil)Group II (chamomile essential oil)Group III (ginger essential oil)Group IV (almond essential oil)

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Gastrointestinal cancers, neuroendocrine cancer, or melanoma or other skin cancers
  • Receiving chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and/or immunotherapy
  • Not naive to the treatment
  • Must be able to read and write English

You may not qualify if:

  • Allergies to ragweed, chrysanthemum, chamomile, ginger, bergamot, citrus fruits, tree nuts, perfumes
  • Asthma diagnosis
  • Patients receiving only octreotide injections
  • Patients receiving floxuridine (FUDR) via hepatic artery infusion (HAI) pump only

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States

Location

Related Links

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Gastrointestinal NeoplasmsCarcinoma, NeuroendocrineSkin NeoplasmsMelanoma

Interventions

Aromatherapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Digestive System NeoplasmsNeoplasms by SiteNeoplasmsDigestive System DiseasesGastrointestinal DiseasesNeuroendocrine TumorsNeuroectodermal TumorsNeoplasms, Germ Cell and EmbryonalNeoplasms by Histologic TypeAdenocarcinomaCarcinomaNeoplasms, Glandular and EpithelialNeoplasms, Nerve TissueSkin DiseasesSkin and Connective Tissue DiseasesNevi and Melanomas

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body TherapiesComplementary TherapiesTherapeuticsPhytotherapySensory Art TherapiesPsychotherapyBehavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

  • Amber Williams, MSN, RN, OCN

    Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE CARE
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

February 27, 2019

First Posted

March 1, 2019

Study Start

February 18, 2019

Primary Completion

April 13, 2020

Study Completion

April 13, 2020

Last Updated

August 4, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-07

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations