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Aromatherapy in Total Knee Replacement

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Post-operative Nausea and Vomiting
Total Knee Replacement
Depression
Opioid Use
Anxiety
Post Operative Pain
Interventions
Other: Elequil Lavender-peppermint Aromatabs
Other: Elequil Almond-Oil Aromatabs
Registration Number
NCT06045078
Lead Sponsor
Hospital for Special Surgery, New York
Brief Summary

The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of aromatherapy on postoperative anxiety and pain in total knee replacement patients. The primary research questions are:

Does Lavender-Peppermint Aromatherapy reduce post operative anxiety in patients after primary total knee replacement when compared to placebo?

Does Lavender-Peppermint Aromatherapy reduce post operative pain in patient after primary total knee replacement when compared to placebo?

Participants will be assigned to one of the following groups at random:

* Intervention: Aromatherapy with the lavender-peppermint scent

* Control: Aromatherapy with the almond oil scent

Participants will also be asked to complete pre- and post-operative questionnaires.

Researchers will compare both groups (intervention vs control) to see if aromatherapy reduces post-operative anxiety and/or pain.

Detailed Description

Preoperative depression, anxiety, and catastrophizing have all been linked to an increase in postoperative pain and opiate use. Although aromatherapy, specifically lavender, may lower anxiety, no placebo-controlled trial has been undertaken to establish Aromatherapy's therapeutic promise for anxiety after total knee replacement. Although peppermint has been demonstrated to reduce nausea and vomiting, it has not been tested in this population for post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled study is to determine the effectiveness of Lavender-Peppermint in reducing post-operative anxiety and discomfort in patients following unilateral primary knee replacement surgery.

The primary research questions are:

Does Lavender-Peppermint Aromatherapy reduce post operative anxiety in patients after primary total knee replacement when compared to placebo?

Does Lavender-Peppermint Aromatherapy reduce post operative pain in patient after primary total knee replacement when compared to placebo?

Participants will be assigned to one of the following groups at random:

* Intervention: Aromatherapy in the lavender-peppermint scent

* Control: Aromatherapy in the almond oil scent

Participants will also be asked to complete pre- and post-operative questionnaires via the following surveys/questionnaires:

* State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Short Form

* PROMIS Anxiety v1.0 (short form 8a)

* PROMIS Depression v1.0 (short form 8a)

* PROMIS Pain Interference v1.1 (short form 6b)

* Pain Catastrophizing Scale

* Pain Rating Scale in Numeric Form

* Opioid Consumption

* Opioid Related Symptoms Distress Scale

* Adverse Events

* Aromatherapy Satisfaction Questionnaire

* Bang Blinding Index

Researchers will compare both groups (intervention vs control) to see if aromatherapy reduces post-operative anxiety and/or pain.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age > 18 and ≤ 80
  • Scheduled to undergo primary, unilateral knee replacement surgery
  • Willing and able to provide informed consent
  • Willing and able to complete follow-up procedures
  • Intact olfactory function
  • Score 19 or greater on the PROMIS Anxiety Shortform 8A
Exclusion Criteria
  • Score <19 on the PROMIS Emotional Distress - Anxiety - Short Form 8a
  • Current major anxiety or depression
  • Currently taking medications to treat anxiety
  • Impaired sense of smell
  • History of chronic pain with opioid use for greater than 3 months
  • History of Drug or Alcohol abuse
  • History of fibromyalgia
  • History of G6PD deficiency
  • Plant or tree nut allergy
  • Severe allergy to Opioids, NSAIDS or local anesthetics (such as anaphylaxis)
  • Severe liver disease, renal insufficiency (with inability to take acetaminophen or NSAIDS)
  • Non-English Speaking
  • Surgery requiring a hospitalization of greater than 3 days
  • Patient refusal
  • Current cardiac fibrillation
  • Chronic opioid user (>3 months)
  • BMI ≥ 45
  • Contraindication to neuraxial anesthesia

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Lavender-Peppermint Aromatherapy GroupElequil Lavender-peppermint AromatabsThis is the interventional group. Participants in this group will receive aromatherapy tabs in the scent of lavender-peppermint. Tabs will be worn on a badge for a total of 72 hours, and participants will replace the aroma tabs every 12 hours.
Almond-oil Aromatherapy GroupElequil Almond-Oil AromatabsThis is the placebo group. Participants in this group will receive aromatherapy tabs in the scent of almond oil. Tabs will worn on a badge for a total of 72 hours, and participants will replace the aroma tabs every 12 hours.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in Anxiety level before and each individual day after surgery.Measured pre-operatively, in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), post-operative day (POD) 1, POD 2, POD 3, POD 7

To assess the change in participants' anxiety level before and each individual day after surgery. Measured using the State Anxiety Inventory.

State anxiety was scored on the following scale:

1. = not at all

2. = somewhat

3. = moderately so

4. = very much so

Trait anxiety was scored on the following scale:

1. almost never

2. sometimes

3. often

4. almost always

with 1 being the lowest score and 4 being the highest score.

Difference in anxiety level before and after surgeryMeasured pre-operatively and on post-operative day (POD) 7

To assess participants' preoperative (cumulative 7 days before surgery) and postoperative (cumulative 7 days after surgery) anxiety. Measured using the PROMIS anxiety short form 8a Version 1.0. Scored on the following scale:

1. = never

2. = rarely

3. = sometimes

4. = often

5. = always with 1 being the lowest score and 5 being the highest scores.

The average pain score after surgeryMeasured pre-operatively, in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), post-operative day (POD) 1, POD 2, POD 3, POD 7

To assess the average pain score of participants after surgery. Measured using the numerical rating scale (NRS). Measured on a 11-point numeric scale from '0' representing one pain extreme (e.g. "no pain") to '10' representing the other pain extreme (e.g. "pain as bad as you can imagine" or "worst pain imaginable").

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Difference in depression level before and after surgeryMeasured pre-operatively and on post-operative day (POD) 7

To assess participants' post-operative emotional distress. Measured using the PROMIS depression short form 8a. Scored on the following scale:

1. = never

2. = rarely

3. = sometimes

4. = often

5. = always with 1 being the lowest score and 5 being the highest scores.

Average score on pain catastrophizingMeasured pre-operatively, post-operative day (POD) 1, POD 2, POD 3, POD 7

The Pain Catastrophizing Scale is made up of 13 phrases that describe various thoughts and sensations that people may have while they are in pain. The items are assessed on a 5-point scale and are grouped into three categories: rumination, magnification, and helplessness. Scored on the following scale:

0 = Not at all

1. = To a slight degree

2. = To a moderate degree

3. = To a great degree

4. = All the time with 0 being the lowest and 4 being the highest score.

Average score on pain interferenceMeasured pre-operatively and on post-operative day (POD) 7

The PROMIS Pain Interference instruments (adult) measure the self-reported consequences of pain on relevant aspects of a person's life and may include the extent to which pain hinders engagement with social, cognitive, emotional, physical, and recreational activities. Pain Interference also incorporates items probing sleep and enjoyment in life, though the item bank only contains one sleep item. The Pain Interference items utilize a 7-day recall period (items include the phrase "the past 7 days"). Scored on the following scale:

1. = Not at all

2. = A little bit

3. = Somewhat

4. = Quite a bit

5. = Very much With 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest

Average post-operative opioid consumptionMeasured in the post-operative care unit (PACU), post-operative day (POD) 1, POD2, POD3, POD7

Self-reported measure of medication, dosage, and time of opioid consumption

Presence of post-operative nauseaMeasured at post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), post-operative day (POD) 1, POD 2, POD 3, POD 7

To assess if participants experience post-operative nausea. Measured using the Opioid Related Symptom Distress Scale question: In the past 24 hours, I had nausea (yes/no).

Presence of post-operative vomitingMeasured at post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), post-operative day (POD) 1, POD 2, POD 3, POD 7

To assess if participants experience post-operative vomiting. Measured using the Opioid Related Symptom Distress Scale question: In the past 24 hours, I had vomiting (yes/no).

Incidences of post-operative complicationsMeasured at post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) up to post operative day 7

To assess the incidences of post-operative complications such as need for ICU admission, DVT/PE, MI, stroke.

To be measured in the number of patients who reported adverse events.

To assess the severity of opioid-related symptom distressMeasured at post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), post-operative day (POD) 1, POD 2, POD 3, POD 7

The Opioid-Related Symptom Distress Scale (ORSDS) is a scale that assesses three dimensions of symptom distress (frequency, severity, and bothersomeness) for 12 symptoms. The symptom-specific ORSDS is calculated by taking the average of the three symptom distress dimensions.

Frequency will be assessed using a 4 point scale:

1. rarely

2. occasionally

3. frequently

4. almost constantly with 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest.

Severity is assessed using a 4 point scale:

1. slight

2. moderate

3. severe

4. very severe with 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest.

Bothersomeness is assessed using a 5 point scale:

1. not at all

2. a little bit

3. somewhat

4. quite a bit

5. very much with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest.

To assess participants' satisfaction with the aromatherapyMeasured at post operative day 7

Self-reported responses on a survey of 7-items to assess participants' level of satisfaction with the aromatherapy they received.

Measured on the following scale:

1. = Not satisfied

2. = A little bit

3. = Moderately

4. = Quite a bit

5. = Extremely satisfied with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest.

Aromatab AdherenceMeasured on post operative day (POD) 1, POD2, POD3.

Feasibility was assessed as adherence to aromatab protocol was assessed as yes/no for whether the patient wore each of the 6 aromatabs.

Hospital Length of StayMeasured at discharge as number of hours elapsed between post anesthesia care unit entry and discharge time

Hospital length of stay was measured as hours elapsed from post anesthesia care unit entry to discharge.

Bang Blinding IndexMeasured on postoperative day 7

The Bang Blinding Index ranges from -1 to 1, where index of 1 indicates all responses are correct and complete unblinding is inferred. Patients and Research Assistants were asked to guess whether the patient was given the intervention (Lavender-Peppermint) or Control (Almond Oil) Aromatherapy.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hospital for Special Surgery

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

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