Effect of Lavender Aromatherapy Massage on Pain and Wrist Mobility in Rheumatoid Arthritis

NCT07456657 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Lavender-RA-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of lavender aromatherapy massage on pain intensity and wrist joint mobility in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive lavender aromatherapy massage in addition to standard care or standard care alone. Pain intensity and wrist mobility will be measured before and after the intervention period. The findings of this study may provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of complementary therapies in reducing pain and improving joint function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Conditions

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Keywords

Lavender Aromatherapy; Massage Therapy; Wrist Mobility; Pain; Rheumatoid Arthritis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain Intensity

  Pain intensity will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The scale ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst possible pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.

  Baseline and after completion of the intervention period (e.g., 4 weeks).

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Wrist Joint Mobility

  Baseline and after completion of the intervention period (e.g., 4 weeks).

Study Arms (2)

Lavender Aromatherapy Massage Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive lavender aromatherapy massage . The massage will be applied using lavender essential oil according to the study protocol.

Other: Lavender Aromatherapy Massage

Inert Almond Oil (Placebo Massage)

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will receive massage using inert almond oil without lavender essential oil according to the same duration and procedure as the experimental group. This serves as a placebo control to maintain participant blinding.

Other: Inert Almond Oil Massage

Interventions

Lavender Aromatherapy Massage OTHER

Massage therapy using lavender essential oil applied to the wrist according to the study protocol.

Lavender Aromatherapy Massage Group

Inert Almond Oil Massage OTHER

Massage using inert almond oil without lavender essential oil, applied with the same duration and procedure as the experimental group.

Inert Almond Oil (Placebo Massage)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 20 to 60 years
• Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis meeting the 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria
• Seropositive for Rheumatoid Factor (RF)
• Stable dosage of RA medications (NSAIDs, csDMARDs, bDMARDs) for at least 3 months prior to enrollment with commitment to maintain the regimen

You may not qualify if:

• Acute joint inflammation or infection in the hands or upper back during screening
• Recent surgery (within 6 months) affecting hands or upper back
• Dermal lesions, open wounds, infections, or significant vascular pathology at treatment sites
• Serious comorbidities (uncontrolled diabetes, renal failure, cancer, severe cardiac/respiratory disease, coagulopathies, anticoagulant use)
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Previous lavender aromatherapy massage within 6 months
• Documented hypersensitivity to lavender aromatherapy massage

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Baghdad: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Connective Tissue Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Serwan Jafar Bakey, Phd

  University of Baghdad, College of Nursing

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Ethar Haider Fadhil, PhD Candidate

CONTACT

+9647810626779; ethar.najm2102m@conursing.uobaghdad.edu.iq

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Participants will be blinded to group allocation and type of oil used. Due to the nature of the intervention, care providers cannot be blinded.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD Student, College of Nursing, University of Baghdad

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: an intervention group receiving lavender aromatherapy massage in addition to routine care, and a control group receiving routine care only.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 2, 2026
• First Posted: March 6, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2027
• Last Updated: March 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share