Effect of Cardamom and Peppermint Oils on Chemotherapy-Related Nausea-Vomiting and Food Intake

NCT07318779 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Chemotherapy
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 39
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of inhaled cardamom oil on chemotherapy-related nausea, vomiting, and food intake and to compare these effects with those of inhaled peppermint oil.

Conditions

Cancer

Keywords

Aromatherapy; Chemotherapy; Nausea; Vomiting; Food Intake

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (7)

• Chemotherapy-Related Nausea-Vomiting and Retching

  The Rhodes Index of Nausea, Vomiting and Retching (INVR) was developed by Rhodes and McDaniel in 1999 to assess nausea, vomiting, retching, and related distress experienced within the last 12 hours, particularly after chemotherapy. The scale consists of 8 items rated on a Likert-type scale, where 0 indicates minimal distress and 4 indicates severe distress. Items 1, 3, 6, and 7 are reverse-scored. The INVR includes three subdimensions: symptom experience, symptom occurrence, and symptom distress. The original scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.98; subscales = 0.83-0.99).

  five consecutive days.

• Food Intake

  Food Consumption Form: The 24-hour dietary recall method is used to record food intake. In this study, patients record all foods and beverages consumed over five consecutive days. Portions are documented using household measures such as cups, glasses, mugs, and spoons.

  five consecutive days.

• Chemotherapy-Related Nausea

  Visual Analog Scale (VAS): The severity of nausea will be assessed using a 100-mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where the left end represents "no nausea" and the right end represents "severe nausea." A score \<5 mm is defined as no nausea, and a 10-mm difference is typically considered clinically significant.

  five consecutive days.

• Food Frequency Form

  This form identifies the food groups consumed by the patient over the five-day period. It verifies the information recorded in the food consumption form and provides insight into the patient's dietary patterns. The food frequency method is commonly used to assess relationships between diet and disease risk.

  five consecutive days.

• Anthropometric Measurements1

  Body mass index (BMI) is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared (kg/height²).

  Measurements will be taken twice, on the first and fifth days.

• Anthropometric Measurements2

  Skinfold thickness measurements are taken using calipers and are used to rank individuals in terms of relative total "fatness" or to assess subcutaneous fat in various areas of the body.

  Measurements will be taken twice, on the first and fifth days.

• Anthropometric Measurements3

  waist and hip circumference: Using a tape measure, measure around the narrowest part of the waist, just above the belly button. This is the waist circumference. Measure around the widest part of the hips. This is the hip circumference.

  Measurements will be taken twice, on the first and fifth days.

Study Arms (3)

peppermint oil

EXPERIMENTAL

Thirty minutes before the chemotherapy session begins, one drop of essential oil will be applied to a piece of gauze. The gauze will then be attached to the patient's collar with a safety pin, positioned 20 cm away from the patient's nose. This procedure will be performed three times a day for five consecutive days.

Other: Peppermint Oil

cardamom oil

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Thirty minutes before the chemotherapy session begins, one drop of essential oil will be applied to a piece of gauze. The gauze will then be attached to the patient's collar with a safety pin, positioned 20 cm away from the patient's nose. This procedure will be performed three times a day for five consecutive days.

Other: cardomom oil

sweet almond oil

SHAM COMPARATOR

Thirty minutes before the chemotherapy session begins, one drop of essential oil will be applied to a piece of gauze. The gauze will then be attached to the patient's collar with a safety pin, positioned 20 cm away from the patient's nose. This procedure will be performed three times a day for five consecutive days.

Other: sweet almond oil

Interventions

Peppermint Oil OTHER

Thirty minutes before the chemotherapy session begins, one drop of essential oil will be applied to a piece of gauze. The gauze will then be attached to the patient's collar with a safety pin, positioned 20 cm away from the patient's nose. This procedure will be performed three times a day for five consecutive days.

peppermint oil

cardomom oil OTHER

Thirty minutes before the chemotherapy session begins, one drop of essential oil will be applied to a piece of gauze. The gauze will then be attached to the patient's collar with a safety pin, positioned 20 cm away from the patient's nose. This procedure will be performed three times a day for five consecutive days.

cardamom oil

sweet almond oil OTHER

Thirty minutes before the chemotherapy session begins, one drop of essential oil will be applied to a piece of gauze. The gauze will then be attached to the patient's collar with a safety pin, positioned 20 cm away from the patient's nose. This procedure will be performed three times a day for five consecutive days.

sweet almond oil

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Volunteered to participate in the study,
• Received at least one cycle and are continuing to receive either Adriamycin-cyclophosphamide or Adriamycin-cyclophosphamide-fluorouracil chemotherapy protocols,
• Have an intact sense of smell.

You may not qualify if:

• Under 18 years of age,
• Have neurocognitive impairment and are unable to answer the questionnaire,
• Have a condition that may trigger nausea and vomiting, such as vertigo or motion sickness,
• Have a chronic respiratory disease (with a history of asthma or other reactive airway diseases),
• Have a known history of allergies,
• Have a history of prolonged or excessive alcohol use,
• Use any scented products during the intervention period,
• Receive other complementary therapies for nausea and vomiting.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Semanur Bilgiç: lead

Study Sites (1)

Eskişehir City Hospital

Eskişehir, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neoplasms; Nausea; Vomiting

Interventions

peppermint oil; almond oil

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Semanur Bilgiç, Research Asisstant

CONTACT

+905395966328; semanurblgc@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 19, 2025
• First Posted: January 6, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Last Updated: January 6, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

TU (1)