NCT04460300

Brief Summary

Objective: To investigate the effect of aromatherapy on blood pressure and stress response by inhalation and foot massage in individuals with essential hypertension. Methods: The randomized controlled trial is performed with 69 individuals diagnosed with essential hypertension hospitalized. There are two interventions (group 1: aromatherapy-inhalation method, group 2: aromatherapy-foot massage) and a control group in the study. Blood pressure is measured with a digital sphygmomanometer after 10 minutes of rest; stress response is determined by heart rate, blood cortisol levels and anxiety scale. Aromatherapy with lavender oil is applied to the intervention groups; no application is made to the control group and routine follow-up at the hospital continued.

Trial Health

43
At Risk

Trial Health Score

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

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
69

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Dec 2018

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
unknown

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

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

December 3, 2018

Completed
1.6 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

June 21, 2020

Completed
16 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 7, 2020

Completed
27 days until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

August 3, 2020

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

August 3, 2020

Completed
Last Updated

July 7, 2020

Status Verified

July 1, 2020

Enrollment Period

1.7 years

First QC Date

June 21, 2020

Last Update Submit

July 1, 2020

Conditions

Keywords

Essential HypertensionAromatherapyPhysiological Stress ResponseAnxietyArterial Pressure

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

  • Mean of blood pressure (mmHg)

    In the study, a digital sphygmomanometer, which has been calibrated in comparison with the mercury sphygmomanometer, is used in order to prevent individual differences in the measurement of blood pressure. For accurate results, the sphygmomanometer sleeve is sized for adult individuals (width = about 20 cm, length = about 40 cm). In order for the blood pressure not to be affected by the conditions during the measurement, it is taken into account that the individual did not drink tea or coffee, take caffeine, and preferably did not eat during the 30 minutes prior to measurement. Measurements are made after the individual has been resting in a quiet room for at least 10 minutes. The measurements at the first interview are made from both arms, the blood pressure in the high arm is considered to be the blood pressure of the patient. Blood pressure measurements in the follow-ups are also made from this arm.

    up to one week

  • Mean of heart rate (/dk)

    The heart rate is the pressure of the left ventricle on the vascular wall of the blood that it throws into the aorta during systole from the skin surface.In the research, apical heart rate is measured with a stethoscope.

    up to one week

  • Mean of blood cortisol level (mg/dl)

    Adrenal cortisol release is largely regulated by the limbic system-hypothalamus-pituitary and adrenal (L-HPA) axis.When an individual detects an environmental stimulus or stress to be avoided, activation of the HPA-axis is initiated in the central nervous system, and a physiological process occurs to stimulate the adrenal gland to release glucocorticoids for cortisol release.There are sources showing that the maximum cortisol values are between 04:00 and 08:00. The half-life of cortisol in circulation is 60 minutes, so the blood concentration changes rapidly. For this reason, interventions in the study are performed within hours when the serum cortisol level is highest and blood will be drawn for cortisol 5 minutes after the application.

    up to one week

  • Means of subjective anxiety scores

    Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory is used to measure subjective anxiety scores.The State Anxiety Inventory is a 4-point Likert-type scale consisting of 20 questions aimed at measuring how individuals are feeling right now.The Trait Anxiety Inventory is a 20-item scale that generally determines how the individual feels, regardless of the situation and circumstances in which the individual is present.

    up to one week

Study Arms (3)

Aromatherapy-inhalation group

EXPERIMENTAL

In addition to the pharmacological treatment prescribed by the physician to individuals in this group, aromatherapy is carried out through the essential oil inhalation method. Individuals who can distinguish odors in the odor sense test before the application is included in the study. Aromatherapy inhalation is applied for three days and every other day (eg Monday-Wednesday-Friday) determined by the researchers for a week. Intervention is made between 07:00 and 08:00 in the morning hours when the blood cortisol value is maximized and homogeneity is provided. In this method, 5 drops of lavender oil is dropped directly on a sterile gauze and individuals is allowed to breathe from a distance of 10 cm for 5 minutes.

Other: Aromatherapy-inhalation method

Aromatherapy-foot massage group

EXPERIMENTAL

In addition to the pharmacological treatment prescribed by the physician to individuals in this group, aromatherapy is applied through foot massage. Swedish massage protocol is followed in foot massage intervention.The foot massage is performed on three days and every other day (eg Monday-Wednesday-Friday) determined by the researchers for a week.The intervention is performed between 07:00 and 08:00 in the morning hours when the blood cortisol value is maximized and homogeneity is provided. Foot massage is done with 10 drops (5 drops per foot) of lavender for 10 minutes for each foot for 20 minutes. During the intervention, 20 techniques is used and the application time of each technique is 30 seconds (total 10 minutes per foot).

Other: Aromatherapy-foot massage group

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Interviews is held with the control group while performing the routine treatment and care of the clinic. No intervention is made by the researchers to the control group during the interview.

Interventions

In addition to the pharmacological treatment prescribed by the physician to individuals in this group, aromatherapy is carried out through the essential oil inhalation method. Individuals who can distinguish odors in the odor sense test before the application is included in the study. Aromatherapy inhalation is applied for three days and every other day (eg Monday-Wednesday-Friday) determined by the researchers for a week. Intervention is made between 07:00 and 08:00 in the morning hours when the blood cortisol value is maximized and homogeneity is provided. In this method, 5 drops of lavender oil will be dropped directly on a sterile gauze and individuals will be allowed to breathe from a distance of 10 cm for 5 minutes.

Aromatherapy-inhalation group

In addition to the pharmacological treatment prescribed by the physician to individuals in this group, aromatherapy is applied through foot massage. Swedish massage protocol is followed in foot massage intervention.The foot massage is performed on three days and every other day (eg Monday-Wednesday-Friday) determined by the researchers for a week.The intervention is performed between 07:00 and 08:00 in the morning hours when the blood cortisol value is maximized and homogeneity is provided. Foot massage is done with 10 drops (5 drops per foot) of lavender for 10 minutes for each foot for 20 minutes. During the intervention, 20 techniques is used and the application time of each technique is 30 seconds (total 10 minutes per foot).

Aromatherapy-foot massage group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

  • years and over,
  • Have been diagnosed with essential hypertension for at least 6 months,
  • Blood pressure values are 120-180 mmHg for systolic pressure and 80-110 mmHg for diastolic pressure,
  • Receiving regular antihypertensive therapy,
  • No additional antihypertensive drug is added during the application,
  • Passing the odor sense test,
  • No current anxiolytic or hypnotic treatment,
  • Not diagnosed with psychiatric illness,
  • Not pre-applied,
  • Those who understand and speak Turkish,
  • No speech, hearing and vision loss,
  • Non-smoker,
  • Does not apply herbal treatment to lower blood pressure,
  • Individuals who agreed to participate in the research

You may not qualify if:

  • An additional antihypertensive drug was added during the application,
  • Before each intervention, SKB ≥ 180 or \<120 mmHg and DKB ≥ 110 or \<80 mmHg,
  • Taking dialysis treatment,
  • In addition to its existing diseases, it is diagnosed with asthma, COPD and acute myocardial infarction.
  • With a known allergic response to lavender oil,
  • Applying herbal treatment to lower blood pressure,
  • Those who cannot pass the odor sense test,
  • Receiving current anxiolytic or hypnotic treatment,
  • Diagnosed with psychiatric illness,
  • Pre-implemented,
  • Who cannot understand and speak Turkish,
  • Speech, hearing and vision loss,
  • Smoker,
  • Individuals who do not agree to participate in the research

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Bolu Elderly Health Center

Bolu, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Related Publications (1)

  • Can Cicek S, Demir S, Yilmaz D, Acikgoz A, Yildiz S, Yis OM. The Effect of Aromatherapy on Blood Pressure and Stress Responses by Inhalation and Foot Massage in Patients With Essential Hypertension: Randomized Clinical Trial. Holist Nurs Pract. 2022 Jul-Aug 01;36(4):209-222. doi: 10.1097/HNP.0000000000000526.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Essential HypertensionAnxiety Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

HypertensionVascular DiseasesCardiovascular DiseasesMental Disorders

Study Officials

  • Saadet Can Cicek

    Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, Health Sciences Faculty

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Hospital Chief Physician, Dr

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE CARE
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

June 21, 2020

First Posted

July 7, 2020

Study Start

December 3, 2018

Primary Completion

August 3, 2020

Study Completion

August 3, 2020

Last Updated

July 7, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-07

Locations