Overall Level of Evidence for Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
To assist readers in evaluating the results of human studies of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments for cancer, the strength of the evidence (i.e., the levels of evidence) associated with each type of treatment is provided whenever possible. To qualify for a levels of evidence analysis, a study must:
- Be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
- Report on a therapeutic outcome or outcomes, such as tumor response, improvement in survival, or measured improvement in quality of life.
- Describe clinical findings in enough detail that a meaningful evaluation can be made.
Separate levels of evidence scores are assigned to qualifying human studies on the basis of statistical strength of the study design and scientific strength of the treatment outcomes (i.e., endpoints) measured. The resulting two scores are then combined to produce an overall score. A table showing the levels of evidence scores for qualifying human studies cited in this summary is presented below. For an explanation of the scores and additional information about levels of evidence analysis of CAM treatments for cancer, refer to Levels of Evidence for Human Studies of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Use of Aromatherapy as a Supportive Care Agent: Table of Clinical Studies
Reference Citations
|
Type of Study/Essential Oil/Mode of Administration
|
No. of Patients Enrolled; Treated; Control
|
Condition Investigated
|
Primary Outcome
|
Secondary Outcome
|
Level of Evidence Score
|
[1] |
Randomized
nonblinded triala/lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Miller [synonyms: Lavandula spicata L.; Lavandula vera DC.]) and chamomile blend/massage |
46; 11; 18 |
Mood, QOL, physical symptoms |
No effect on mood, QOL, or physical symptoms |
None |
1ii |
[2] |
Randomized nonblinded triala/lavender/massage |
42; 29; 13 |
Pain |
No effect on pain |
Improved sleep; reduced depression; no effect on QOL |
1ii |
[3] |
Double-blind randomized control triala/lavender, bergamot (Citrus aurantium L. ssp. bergamia [Risso] Wright & Arn. [Rutaceae];
[synonym: Citrus bergamia Risso]), and cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica [Endl.] Manetti ex Carriere
[Pinaceae])/indirect application |
313 |
Anxiety
|
No effect on anxiety |
No effect on depression or fatigue |
1i |
[4] |
Nonrandomized controlled clinical trial b/lavender, eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill. and Eucalyptus radiata Sieber ex DC.
[Myrtaceae]), tea tree/topical application |
16; 6; 10 |
Infection
|
No effect on incidence of infection |
None |
2 |
[5] |
Nonrandomized controlled clinical trial b/geranium (Pelargonium species), German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L. [synonyms: Matricaria chamomilla L., Chamomilla
recutita (L.) Rausch.])
, patchouli (Pogostemon cablin [Blanco] Benth. [Lamiaceae] [synonyms: Mentha cablin
Blanco, Pogostemon patchouly Letettier]), and turmericphytol/oral application |
48; 24; 24 |
Gastrointestinal symptoms |
No effect on gastrointestinal symptoms |
None |
2 |
[6] |
Consecutive case series c/lavender or chamomile/massage |
18; 8 |
Anxiety, depression |
No reduction in anxiety or depression |
Reduction in blood pressure, pulse, and respiration |
3ii |
[7] |
Randomized nonblinded triala/chamomile/massage |
103; 43; 44 |
Physical and psychological symptoms, QOL |
Reduction in anxiety and in physical and psychological symptoms; improved QOL |
None |
1ii |
[8] |
Randomized nonblinded triala/chamomile/massage |
52; 26; 25 |
QOL, physical symptoms, anxiety |
Improved QOL, fewer physical symptoms, reduced anxiety |
None |
1ii |
[9] |
Randomized nonblinded triala/aromatherapy blendd/massage |
52; 34; 18 |
Anxiety, mobility |
Decreased anxiety, pain; improved mobility |
None |
1ii |
[10] |
Consecutive casea/various oils/massage |
69 |
General symptoms |
General improvement in symptoms reported by patients; no statistical analysis completed |
None |
3ii |
References
-
Wilcock A, Manderson C, Weller R, et al.: Does aromatherapy massage benefit patients with cancer attending a specialist palliative care day centre? Palliat Med 18 (4): 287-90, 2004.
[PUBMED Abstract]
-
Soden K, Vincent K, Craske S, et al.: A randomized controlled trial of aromatherapy massage in a hospice setting. Palliat Med 18 (2): 87-92, 2004.
[PUBMED Abstract]
-
Graham PH, Browne L, Cox H, et al.: Inhalation aromatherapy during radiotherapy: results of a placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trial. J Clin Oncol 21 (12): 2372-6, 2003.
[PUBMED Abstract]
-
Gravett P: Aromatherapy treatment for patients with Hickman line infection following high-dose chemotherapy. International Journal of Aromatherapy 11 (1): 18-9, 2001.
-
Gravett P: Treatment of gastrointestinal upset following high-dose chemotherapy. International Journal of Aromatherapy 11 (2): 84-6, 2001.
-
Hadfield N: The role of aromatherapy massage in reducing anxiety in patients with malignant brain tumours. Int J Palliat Nurs 7 (6): 279-85, 2001.
[PUBMED Abstract]
-
Wilkinson S, Aldridge J, Salmon I, et al.: An evaluation of aromatherapy massage in palliative care. Palliat Med 13 (5): 409-17, 1999.
[PUBMED Abstract]
-
Wilkinson S: Aromatherapy and massage in palliative care. Int J Palliat Nurs 1 (1): 21-30, 1995.
-
Corner J, Cawler N, Hildebrand S: An evaluation of the use of massage and essential oils on the wellbeing of cancer patients. Int J Palliat Nurs 1 (2): 67-73, 1995.
-
Evans B: An audit into the effects of aromatherapy massage and the cancer patient in palliative and terminal care. Complement Ther Med 3 (4): 239-41, 1995.
Back to Top
< Previous Section | Next Section > |