A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Acupuncture Versus Aromatherapy as Treatments to Lessen Nausea, Vomiting and Anxiety Associated With Adriamycin and Cytoxan

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Acupuncture Versus Aromatherapy as Treatments to Lessen Nausea, Vomiting and Anxiety Associated With Adriamycin and Cytoxan

The overall goal of this study is to explore the effectiveness of using acupuncture versus aromatherapy, in conjunction with standard of care anti-emetics, to decrease chemotherapy induced nausea, vomiting, and anxiety in breast cancer patients undergoing Adriamycin and Cytoxan. This study also aims to determine if aromatherapy and anti-emetics is more effective than acupuncture and anti-emetics in treating nausea, vomiting, and anxiety in patients receiving Adriamycin and Cytoxan and if acupuncture and anti-emetics is more effective than aromatherapy and anti-emetics in treating nausea, vomiting, and anxiety in patients receiving Adriamycin and Cytoxan.

i) Inclusion

• At least 18 years of age on the day of signing informed consent
• Patient has a diagnosis of breast cancer
• Patient is planned to start Adriamycin and Cytoxan chemotherapy

ii) Exclusion

• Patients who are unable to adhere to the protocol or treatment schedule
• Patients who have a concurrent illness or take medication that induces nausea independent of chemotherapy
• Patients undergoing radiotherapy or hormone therapy during chemotherapy treatments
• Patients who have a sensitive and/or poor sense of smell
• Patients who are allergic to essential oils, specifically peppermint, ginger, and/or lavender
• Patients who are already using essential oils or acupuncture for symptom management and are unwilling to stop while participating in this study
• Patients who are afraid of or unwilling to receive acupuncture stimulation
• Patients who are allergic to stainless steel needles
• Thrombocytopenia (Platelets < 20,000)
• Patients who have received aromatherapy and/or acupuncture treatment within 1 week of starting treatment on this study