Essential Oils for Urinary Symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Efficacy and Safety of Essential Oil Aromatherapy on Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Single-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if essential oil aromatherapy works to improve urinary symptoms in adults with multiple sclerosis. It will also learn about the safety of essential oil use in this population.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does essential oil aromatherapy reduce urinary urgency, frequency, and incontinence episodes in participants with multiple sclerosis?
• What medical problems do participants have when using essential oil aromatherapy?

Researchers will compare essential oil aromatherapy to a placebo (a look-alike neutral oil with no therapeutic properties) to see if essential oil aromatherapy works to improve urinary symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients.

Participants will:

• Use essential oil aromatherapy or a placebo oil every day for 6 weeks
• Complete a urinary symptom scales to record the frequency, urgency, and any leakage episodes each day
• Fill out quality of life questionnaires at the beginning and end of the study

Inclusion Criteria:

• Confirmed diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (any form)
• Documented lower urinary tract symptoms defined by an Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) ≥ 3 at screening
• Age between 18 and 65 years
• Willing and able to provide written informed consent
• Capable of performing daily topical self-application of the study oil, or having a caregiver available to assist throughout the study period

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active urinary tract infection confirmed by urine culture at screening
• Pre-existing urological condition unrelated to Multiple Sclerosis (e.g., bladder cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or interstitial cystitis)
• Known allergy or hypersensitivity to essential oils, apricot kernel oil, lavender, or rosemary
• Active skin lesions, wounds, or dermatological conditions on the lower abdomen at the intended site of application
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study period
• Significant cognitive impairment preventing understanding of study procedures or completion of questionnaires
• Current use of an indwelling urinary catheter or practice of intermittent self-catheterization