Physiologic and Expectancy Effects of Stress-reducing Aroma in Older Adults

Oregon Health and Science University1 site in 1 country92 target enrollmentDecember 2010

ConditionsStress-related Problems

Overview

Phase: Phase 2
Intervention: Not specified
Conditions: Stress-related Problems
Sponsor: Oregon Health and Science University
Enrollment: 92
Locations: 1
Primary Endpoint: Percent of Baseline Level of Salivary Cortisol
Status: Completed
Last Updated: 6 years ago

Overview Investigators Eligibility Criteria Outcomes Sites Similar Trials

Overview

Brief Summary

The study purpose is to evaluate efficacy of stress-reducing aromatherapy and learn about how aromatherapy works.

Detailed Description

The study purpose is to evaluate efficacy of stress-reducing aromatherapy and learn about how aromatherapy works by comparing participants' physiologic responses to laboratory challenge tasks with and without experiencing aromatherapy.

Registry

clinicaltrials.gov

Start Date

December 2010

End Date

December 2012

Last Updated

6 years ago

Study Type

Interventional

Study Design

Parallel

Sex

All

Investigators

Sponsor

Oregon Health and Science University

Responsible Party

Principal Investigator

Barry S. Oken

Professor

Oregon Health and Science University

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

•in good physical and cognitive health
•reporting moderate level of stress
•able to perceive aromas
•able to understand and follow study instructions

Exclusion Criteria

•taking medications affecting central nervous system (CNS) function or physiologic measures (e.g. steroids or neuroleptics)
•reporting smell sensitivities or allergies
•smoking presently or in the past less than one year prior to enrollment

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Percent of Baseline Level of Salivary Cortisol

Time Frame: assessed at baseline (60 min prior to aroma exposure and stress), stress battery (30 min after aroma exposure and during stress), post-stress (60 min after completing stress battery)

Percent of baseline level of salivary cortisol (values greater than baseline indicate increased stress)

Secondary Outcomes

Cognitive Performance: Percent Change From Baseline in Digit Span Backward Task Score(Baseline (60 min prior to aroma exposure and stress), post-stress (60 min after completing stress battery))
Electroencephalography (EEG) Frontal Asymmetry(assessed at baseline (60 min prior to aroma exposure and stress), at the onset of aromatherapy exposure, stress battery (30 min after aroma exposure and during stress), post-stress (60 min after completing stress battery))