Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Aromatherapy in Alleviating Post-Chemotherapy Nausea and Vomiting Among Cancer Patients.

Background

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) represent prevalent and distressing adverse effects among cancer patients, substantially compromising treatment compliance and quality of life. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of aromatherapy in managing CINV, with the objective of informing evidence-based clinical decision-making in supportive cancer care.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing aromatherapy's effects on CINV. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and evaluated bias risk. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4, with outcomes expressed as odds ratios (ORs) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Twelve RCTs (n = 1,572) were included. Aromatherapy significantly reduced acute nausea (OR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.29-0.73), acute vomiting (OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.40-0.79), and delayed nausea (OR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.47-0.88). However, no significant effects were observed for delayed vomiting (OR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.39-1.34), VAS scores (MD = -1.30, 95% CI -2.76-0.16), or INVR scores (MD = -1.67, 95% CI -3.67-0.32). No publication bias was detected (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The existing body of evidence suggests that aromatherapy may function as a valuable adjunctive therapy in mitigating chemotherapy-induced nausea, especially during the acute phase. Nevertheless, its efficacy in managing vomiting and symptoms in the delayed phase remains uncertain. Future research efforts should focus on conducting large-scale, methodologically robust RCTs that employ standardized aromatherapy protocols and incorporate longitudinal assessments of outcomes and understanding the biological mechanisms associated with aromatherapy therapeutic effects.