Effects of aromatherapy inhalation on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether aromatherapy inhalation would reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) among cancer patients receiving moderate to high emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) regimen.

METHODS

One hundred participants (control = 48; intervention = 52) receiving moderate to HEC treatment were enrolled in a two-arm control trial design. Participants in the control group followed physician-prescribed antiemetic treatment. Participants in the intervention group followed physician-prescribed antiemetic treatment and received an aromatherapy inhaler intervention for use at the first sign of CINV and as needed. Consented study participants were seen by a study team member over four time points during which the participants would complete the established instruments with scoring procedures and validity evidence.

RESULTS

The use of the aromatherapy inhaler resulted in a reduction in CINV and antiemetic medication in the intervention group. The control group reported 522 instances of medication usage at visit one; 417 instances of medication usage at visit two; and 409 instances of medication usage at visit three. The intervention group reported 136 instances of medication use at visit one; 145 instances of medication use at visit two; and 142 instances of medication use at visit three. Similar to the patterns observed for pharmacological interventions, the control group also reported higher rates of the use of non-pharmacological interventions including tea, water/electrolytes, soup, and food compared to the intervention group.

CONCLUSION

The findings from this randomized clinical trial highlight the potential benefits of aromatherapy inhalation as a complementary therapy for managing CINV.