The Effectiveness of Lavender Aromatherapy Combined With Slow Breathing Exercises in Improving Occupational Burnout and Sleep Disorders Among Nursing Staff

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Sleep Wake Disorders

• Registration Number: NCT06914167
• Lead Sponsor: Tri-Service General Hospital

Brief Summary

This study investigates the effects of breathing exercises combined with lavender essential oil inhalation on occupational burnout and sleep disturbances in rotating shift nurses.

Detailed Description

This study will adopt a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design targeting rotating shift nurses with at least six months of clinical experience at a regional teaching hospital in northern Taiwan. Eligible participants who consent to join the study will be randomly assigned into five groups using block randomization. The randomization process will be conducted via sealed envelopes to allocate participants into the following groups: Experimental Group 1, Experimental Group 2, Experimental Group 3, Breathing-Only Group, and Control Group.

Experimental Group 1: Participants will receive slow breathing training (6 breaths per minute) once daily before bedtime, combined with the inhalation of 3 drops of natural lavender essential oil on a towel, for 3 minutes, over a 4-week period.

Experimental Group 2: Same breathing protocol as above, with 3 drops of linalyl acetate-containing essential oil.

Experimental Group 3: Same breathing protocol, with 3 drops of linalool-containing essential oil.

Breathing-Only Group: Participants will perform slow breathing training (6 breaths per minute) for 3 minutes daily before bedtime, without any essential oil inhalation, for 4 weeks.

Control Group: Participants will maintain their usual lifestyle without any intervention.

The outcomes will be evaluated using a nurse burnout scale and a sleep quality scale. Measurements will be taken at three time points: baseline (pre-test), 4 weeks after the intervention (post-test 1), and 8 weeks after the intervention (follow-up/post-test 2).

The study is co-led by Yao-Hsiang Chen, Assistant Head Nurse at Tri-Service General Hospital Songshan Branch, and Professor Chia-Hui Lin, School of Nursing, National Defense Medical Center.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Study First Submitted: 2025-03-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-03-30
• Study Start: 2025-04-01
• Study First Posted: 2025-04-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-05-07
• Last Update Posted: 2025-05-08
• Primary Completion: 2025-12-31
• Study Completion: 2026-02-28

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 70

Inclusion Criteria

Aged between 20 and 65 years Registered nurses with at least 6 months of clinical experience and currently working rotating shifts Scores ≥1 in each of the three dimensions (emotional exhaustion, reduced personal accomplishment, depersonalization) on the Nursing Burnout Scale (NBS) Willing to participate in the study and accept random assignment

Exclusion Criteria

Nurses with less than 6 months of clinical experience Individuals with anosmia or reduced sense of smell Diagnosed with psychiatric disorders Allergic to lavender essential oil Not currently working rotating shifts

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Nursing Burnout Scale, NBS	At baseline, and at 4 and 8 weeks following the start of intervention	The Nurse Burnout Inventory is specifically developed based on nurses' clinical practice experiences. It includes items that reflect three key dimensions: emotional exhaustion resulting from the high-tension clinical work environment, reduced personal accomplishment associated with feelings of ineffectiveness in medical care, and depersonalization, characterized by indifference toward others due to prolonged burnout.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, CPSQI	At baseline, and at 4 and 8 weeks following the start of intervention	The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a widely used self-reported questionnaire designed to assess sleep quality over the past month. It evaluates multiple aspects of sleep, including subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medications, and daytime dysfunction. A higher score indicates poorer sleep quality.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Tri-Service General Hospital, Songshan Branch; 🇨🇳 Taipei City, Taipei, Taiwan