Determining the Efficacy of Essential Oil Aromatherapy in Children Undergoing Port Access

Stanford University23 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to determine if the use of aromatherapy impacts patient anxiety and pain scores surrounding port access in pediatric oncology patients between the ages of 4 years and 18 years.

Specific aims include the following: Aim 1: To compare pre and post port access anxiety scores for both control and intervention groups. Aim 2: To assess pre and post port pain scores surrounding port access for both control and intervention groups. Aim 3: To compare pain and anxiety scores between age groups. The overall goal of this pilot study is to identify if aromatherapy, using non-topical, STILL QuickTAB Medipack blended scent aromatherapy, manufactured by Soothing Scents, is effective as a valid non-pharmacologic supplementation in reducing anxiety and pain scores during port access in pediatric oncology patients.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Anxiety and Fear Pain

Interventions

STILL QuickTAB Medipack blended scent aromatherapy, manufactured by Soothing ScentsOTHER

A resealable quick-tab dispenser with the 'therapeutic inhaled essential oils' lavender, bergamot, sweet orange, and ylang ylang.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 4 YearsMax age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Children between 4 years and 18 years 2. Scheduled for port access with or without lab draw 3. Oncology, neuro-oncology, and stem cell transplant patients Exclusion Criteria: 1. has asthma, reactive airway disease, or allergies to any of the ingredients we are using in the aromatherapy study (lavender, bergamot, sweet orange, and ylang ylang) 2. currently uses aromatherapy for port accesses or other painful procedures (does not apply to patients using aromatherapy, such as peppermint oil, for nausea) 3. has a cognitive impairment that prevents them from being able to provide anxiety or pain scores 4. does not wish to participate in the study

Locations (1)

Stanford University, School of Medicine

Stanford, California, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Effect of aromatherapy on post patient anxiety scores

Comparison of pre and post patient anxiety scores for both control and intervention groups using the Visual Facial Anxiety Scale with corresponding values ranging from 0-10. 0 indicates no anxiety and 10 indicates the highest level of anxiety. Anxiety score will be measured by using the Visual Facial Anxiety Scale (VFAS)

Time frame: 5 minutes

Secondary Outcomes

Effect of aromatherapy on post patient port pain scores

Comparison of pre and post patient pain scale for both control and intervention groups using the 0-10 scale or the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, according to patient preference and age appropriate rating. The Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale has corresponding faces for numerical rankings of 0-10. For both pain scales, 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst pain.

Time frame: up to 7 minutes

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.