Effects of aromatherapy on chemotherapy-related symptom management
- Journal
- Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (Q1)
- Published
- 21 August 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Aqsa Ghaffar, Myla Strawderman, Tanzy Love, Madeline Forster, Arlette Chavez Iniguez, Alissa Huston, et al.
- PMID
- 42624952
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00520-026-11118-7
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (top studies of the week, 23 August 2026): Aromatherapy for chemotherapy symptoms feasibility study
Abstract
PURPOSE: Aromatherapy holds promise for reducing chemotherapy-related symptoms, however, lacks robust clinical evidence. This study evaluates the feasibility and benefit of aromatherapy in managing chemotherapy-related symptoms. METHODS: This four-arm, randomized, blinded clinical trial enrolled 91 cancer patients (≥ 8 years) undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. Participants were randomized into one of four arms (lavender, jojoba, orange, and ginger) for two chemotherapy cycles (Baseline-no aromatherapy and Cycle 2 - aromatherapy) with an optional third cycle. Participants used aromatherapy inhalers at least 4 times/day for 7 days and rated severity of 7 symptoms (i.e., nausea, vomiting, pain, anxiety, fatigue, sleep difficulties, and lack of appetite) from 0 to 10 daily during each cycle. Primary outcome was feasibility (i.e., retention and aromatherapy compliance through Cycle 2). Preliminary efficacy was evaluated using mean composite symptom severity scores (CSSS; sum daily scores of all individual symptoms for the seven days per cycle). RESULTS: Of the 91 participants randomized, 84 participants started Baseline with 68 completing through Cycle 2. Aromatherapy demonstrated feasibility with overall retention rate of 81.0% (68/84) and high acceptability with 83.3% of all participants reporting use of their inhaler ≥ 21 times during Cycle 2, exceeding our targeted ≥ 75% threshold. The overall change in mean CSSS between Cycle 2 and baseline was on average -1.38 (SE = 0.54), showing reduced symptom severity with aromatherapy. CONCLUSION: Aromatherapy is a feasible and acceptable non-pharmacologic integrative modality for chemotherapy symptom management. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms of aromatherapy's effects.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.