Aromatherapy for Stress and Burnout Among Healthcare Providers

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Stress; Burnout, Professional; Stress, Job
• Interventions: Other: Citrus Essential Oil Blend; Other: Inert Oil; Other: Herbaceous Essential Oil Blend

• Registration Number: NCT05114655
• Lead Sponsor: Franklin Health Research

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential for inhalation of plant-based aromas to reduce stress and burnout among healthcare professionals and staff in hospitals and urgent care centers.

Detailed Description

After being informed about the study and potential risks/benefits, participants will provide e-sign informed consent documents and be randomized to one of three groups in a 1:1:1 ratio. Each participant will apply the assigned study oil to the jawline for inhalation three times daily for a total of 7 days.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2021-10-29
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-10-29
• Study First Posted: 2021-11-10
• Study Start: 2021-11-11
• Primary Completion: 2022-02-10
• Study Completion: 2022-02-17
• Status Verified: 2022-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-03-29
• Last Update Posted: 2022-03-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 114

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 20-59
• Lives in the United States
• Otherwise healthy
• Employed full time in a capacity that interacts with patients at a hospital, primary, or urgent care center that treats COVID-19 patients. Full time is defined as 35 hours or more each week.

Exclusion Criteria

• Positive COVID-19 test within 60 days of the study period
• COVID vaccine of any type scheduled during the intervention period or the week prior to the start of the study
• Allergy to any of the ingredients
• Regular smokers in the home (daily or more often)
• Pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding
• Existing use of an aromatherapy blend for stress management

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Intervention 2	Citrus Essential Oil Blend	Participants apply a light, citrus-based essential oil blend diluted in fractionated coconut oil to the jawline three times each day for 7 days.
Placebo	Inert Oil	Participants apply an inert blend including fractionated coconut oil to the jawline three times each day for 7 days.
Intervention 1	Herbaceous Essential Oil Blend	Participants apply an herbaceous, earthy based essential oil blend diluted in fractionated coconut oil to the jawline three times each day for 7 days.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Post-intervention score on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) on day 7	Day 7	The DASS is a 42-item scale measuring depression, anxiety, and stress. Each item is measured on a 4-point frequency scale, scored from 0-3, with higher scores indicating greater frequency of each symptom.
Post-intervention score on the Profile of Mood States, abbreviated version on day 7	Day 7	The abbreviated version of the profile of mood states contains 40 items across 7 constructs. Each item is scored on a 5 point scale ranging from 0-4 with higher scores indicating higher levels of each construct.
Post-intervention score on the Maslach Burnout Inventory for Health Personnel on day 7	Day 7	The Maslach Burnout Inventory is a 22-item scale measuring 3 constructs of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal achievement. Each item is ranked on a 7-point likert scale, scored from 0-6, with higher scores indicating higher levels of burnout.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Franklin Health Research Center; 🇺🇸 Franklin, Tennessee, United States