Psychological Effects of a Set of Essential Oils
- Conditions
- StressAnxietyWell-Being, PsychologicalMood
- Interventions
- Other: Fragrance inhalation
- Registration Number
- NCT06271759
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Bucharest
- Brief Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effectiveness of an intervention designed to improve wellness through aromatherapy. The main question it aims to answer is whether this intervention can deliver beneficial psychological effects on stress, anxiety and mood, as well as overall well-being.
Participants will receive a bottle with a no/neutral odor or an essential oil (or a blend of essential oils) for home administration and will be asked to complete a series of scales pre and post self-administration twice one week apart.
- Detailed Description
The potential beneficial effects of a set of Essential Oils (EO) are being tested in the form of a Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT). There are five conditions: a control (receiving a neutral/no-odor stimulus) and four active groups (receiving one of the four EO).
The study is a within-subjects/between-subjects design with five arms and involves comparisons between pre-intervention and post-intervention between: (a) Initial psychological states of the participants, and (b) After inhalation of the stimuli. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of the five experimental arms.
For medium effect sizes assumed (f = 0.25), 5 groups and two measurements in time (pre and post stimulus administration) a minimum of 80 subjects total sample size is needed.
Affective states (relaxation, contentment, happiness, motivation, tension), as well as data on mood; depression, anxiety, and stress will be assessed.
Data about familiarity, pleasantness and intensity of the stimuli will also be collected.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 80
- Adults (at least 18 years old)
- Allergies to Essential Oils
- Medical conditions that could have an effect on sense of smell
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Fragrance 2 Group Fragrance inhalation At-home administration of one of the four active stimuli (fragrances), according to the following protocol: 1. Participants will complete a series of psychological scales (pre-measurements), tapping into mood, affective states, well-being. 2. Participants will inhale the fragranced stimulus for approximately 10 minutes. 3. After the completion of step 2, participants will engage in a neutral activity for about 15 minutes. 4. Participants will complete a series of psychological scales (post-measurements). 5. Participants will repeat this protocol one week apart. Fragrance 4 Group Fragrance inhalation At-home administration of one of the four active stimuli (fragrances), according to the following protocol: 1. Participants will complete a series of psychological scales (pre-measurements), tapping into mood, affective states, well-being. 2. Participants will inhale the fragranced stimulus for approximately 10 minutes. 3. After the completion of step 2, participants will engage in a neutral activity for about 15 minutes. 4. Participants will complete a series of psychological scales (post-measurements). 5. Participants will repeat this protocol one week apart. Fragrance 1 Group Fragrance inhalation At-home administration of one of the four active stimuli (fragrances), according to the following protocol: 1. Participants will complete a series of psychological scales (pre-measurements), tapping into mood, affective states, well-being. 2. Participants will inhale the fragranced stimulus for approximately 10 minutes. 3. After the completion of step 2, participants will engage in a neutral activity for about 15 minutes. 4. Participants will complete a series of psychological scales (post-measurements). 5. Participants will repeat this protocol one week apart. Fragrance 3 Group Fragrance inhalation At-home administration of one of the four active stimuli (fragrances), according to the following protocol: 1. Participants will complete a series of psychological scales (pre-measurements), tapping into mood, affective states, well-being. 2. Participants will inhale the fragranced stimulus for approximately 10 minutes. 3. After the completion of step 2, participants will engage in a neutral activity for about 15 minutes. 4. Participants will complete a series of psychological scales (post-measurements). 5. Participants will repeat this protocol one week apart.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Affective states - relaxation Up to three months Changes in momentary affective states are assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). VAS are 10-cm long analog scales, scored 0-100.
Affective states - contentment Up to three months Changes in momentary affective states are assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). VAS are 10-cm long analog scales, scored 0-100.
Affective states - happiness Up to three months Changes in momentary affective states are assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). VAS are 10-cm long analog scales, scored 0-100.
Affective states - motivation Up to three months Changes in momentary affective states are assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). VAS are 10-cm long analog scales, scored 0-100.
Affective states - stress Up to three months Changes in momentary affective states are assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). VAS are 10-cm long analog scales, scored 0-100.
Affective states - tension Up to three months Changes in momentary affective states are assessed with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). VAS are 10-cm long analog scales, scored 0-100.
Emotional changes Up to three months Changes in emotional patterns are assessed based on their intensity, one of the three components of emotional reactivity from the Multidimensional Emotion Questionnaire (MEQ). The questionnaire represents a reliable general measure of emotional experience, focusing on 10 discrete emotions (5 positive and 5 negative). Intensity is rated on a 5-Likert scale that ranges from 1 - Very low to 5 - Very high.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method General mental health - Anxiety Up to three months Anxiety symptoms are assessed with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21).
General mental health - Stress Up to three months Stress is assessed with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21).
General mental health - Depression Up to three months Depressive symptoms are assessed with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21).
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University of Bucharest
🇷🇴Bucharest, Romania