The Use of Aromatherapy for Symptom Management

The Use of Aromatherapy for Symptom Management

The purpose of this pilot study is to introduce the use of aromatherapy/essential oils to medical oncology patients at Central DuPage Hospital to assess their perceived effectiveness to relieve symptoms of nausea or vomiting and/or anxiety.

Peppermint oil will be used for nausea/vomiting and lavender oil will be used for anxiety. This study will involve administration of aromatherapy to a convenience sample of patients, who will then be asked to complete a brief questionnaire. The questionnaire will involve a simple likert scale to measure efficacy (in the opinion of the patient) and simple multiple-choice questions to determine patients' likeliness to use aromatherapy again.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult hospitalized medical oncology patients admitted to Central DuPage Hospital.
• Age 18 years or greater.
• Able to understand and speak English.
• Women of non-childbearing potential or with childbearing potential with a negative pregnancy test documented during the hospital stay.
• Able to understand concept of aromatherapy for treatment of distressing symptoms.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prisoners.
• Non-English speaking patients.
• Under the age of 18.
• Unable to comprehend the concept of aromatherapy.
• Severe cognitive impairment.
• Not experiencing the symptoms of nausea, vomiting or anxiety.
• Women with child-bearing potential who have not had a negative pregnancy test during the hospital stay.
• Patients with known allergy to lavender or peppermint.