Evaluation of the Efficacy of Aromatherapy on the Well-being of Healthcare Professionals

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Aromatherapy on the Well-being of Hospital Healthcare Professionals: a Randomized Cross-over Trial

The main objective is to evaluate the efficacy of aromatherapy (inhaler sticks) on the well-being of healthcare professionals practicing in medical and surgical intensive care unit, operating room/anesthesia and emergency departments

The secondary objectives of this study are :

1. To evaluate the efficacy of aromatherapy on anxiety of healthcare professionals;
2. To evaluate the efficacy of aromatherapy on stress symptoms of healthcate professionals;
3. To assess compliance with aromatherapy.

Conduct of research:

All participants included in the study will receive the study treatment (essential oils mixtures in inhaler sticks for 2 months) and the control (no intervention for 2 months), in random order. At inclusion and at the end of each period, questionnaires of well-being, anxiety and stress will be completed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthcare professional ;
• Working in a medical or surgical intensive care unit or in a operating room/anesthesia unit or in the emergency department;
• Agrees not to use any topical, oral or inhaled essential oils during the two study periods, other than those specified in the study protocol;
• Written informed consent;

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding woman;
• Known allergies to essential oils;
• Asthma;
• Scheduled departure from the unit;
• Antidepressant treatment or anxiolytic treatment;
• Taking topical, oral or inhaled essential oils durink the week prior to inclusion.