Effect of Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy on Pain and Blood Pressure in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

NCT07292844 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: UMS-GERANIUM-RCT2022
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effect of geranium inhalation aromatherapy on pain and blood pressure among Indonesian cancer patients undergoing intravenous chemotherapy. A total of 90 participants under the age of 65 with normal BMI will be enrolled and randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive geranium essential oil inhalation using three drops applied to cotton and inhaled for 15 minutes during chemotherapy sessions, while the control group will receive usual care without aromatherapy. Pain intensity will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and blood pressure will be recorded using a standard digital blood pressure monitor before and after the intervention. This study aims to evaluate whether geranium aromatherapy can be feasibly implemented as a complementary supportive therapy during chemotherapy. Study Started Date after January 18, 2017

Conditions

Cancer; Chemotherapy Induced Pain; Blood Pressure Changes in Cancer Patients; Chemotherapy Side Effects

Keywords

Blood Pressure; Cancer; Chemotherapy; Geranium Aromatherapy; Pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale - VAS)

  Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). Measurements were conducted immediately before the intervention and immediately after the 15-minute aromatherapy exposure during chemotherapy. The primary outcome is the change in VAS score from pre- to post-intervention.

  Measured immediately before and after each aromatherapy session (single-session pre-post measurement).

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Systolic Blood Pressure

  Measured immediately before and after each aromatherapy session.

Study Arms (2)

Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm received geranium inhalation aromatherapy during their chemotherapy session. Three drops of geranium essential oil were placed on a piece of cotton and inhaled for 15 minutes during chemotherapy, administered twice per month. Pain and blood pressure were assessed before and after the intervention

Other: Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy

Usual Care / No Aromatherapy

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this arm received standard chemotherapy care without any aromatherapy intervention. They underwent the same assessment procedures as the intervention group, including pre- and post-treatment measurements of pain and blood pressure, but no essential oil was administered

Interventions

Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy OTHER

Participants received inhalation aromatherapy using geranium essential oil during their chemotherapy session. Three drops of geranium essential oil were placed on a piece of cotton positioned near the patient to allow continuous inhalation. The aromatherapy was administered for 15 minutes during chemotherapy and given twice per month. Pain intensity (VAS) and blood pressure were measured before and after each session. The control group received usual care without aromatherapy.

Also known as: Geranium Essential Oil Inhalation, Aromatherapy with Geranium Oil

Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Cancer patients undergoing intravenous chemotherapy (regimen 1 / series 1)
• Age less than 65 years
• Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 22.9 kg/m².
• Willing to participate and able to provide informed consent.
• Exlusion:
• Patients with conditions affecting the sense of smell (e.g., severe nasal obstruction or anosmia).
• Patients with known allergies to essential oils or plant-based aromatherapy products.
• Patients experiencing acute medical emergencies or unstable hemodynamic conditions during chemotherapy.
• Patients who withdraw consent at any stage of the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta: lead

Study Sites (1)

RSUD Dr. Moewardi Surakarta

Surakarta, Centre Java, 57162, Indonesia

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neoplasms; Pain

Interventions

Aromatherapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Phytotherapy; Sensory Art Therapies; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

• FIK UMS

  Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Head of Quality Assurance Group

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned into two parallel groups (geranium aromatherapy vs. control) with no crossover during the study period

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 22, 2025
• First Posted: December 18, 2025
• Study Start: May 1, 2022
• Primary Completion: August 30, 2022
• Study Completion: September 30, 2022
• Last Updated: December 18, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ID (1)