title: The use of aromasticks to help with sleep problems: A patient experience survey.
abstract: To document the use of aromasticks to facilitate sleep in a cancer centre in the UK. Sleep disturbance is a common problem amongst patients diagnosed with cancer. Essential oils may be inhaled by means of an aromastick (a personal inhaler device containing essential oils) as a means of improving sleep. A prospective audit of aromasticks given to help facilitate sleep. Sixty-five aromasticks were given out over a 13 week period. 94% of patients reported that they did use their aromastick to help them sleep and 92% reported that they would continue to do so. An improvement of at least one point on a Likert scale measuring sleep quality was shown by 64% of patients following the use of an aromastick. Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) and sandalwood (Santalum austrocaladonicum); and frankincense (Boswellia carterii), mandarin (Citrus reticulata) and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) were the essential oils used in the two blends chosen by patients.
authors: Therapies Department, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, SW3 6JJ, UK. Electronic address: jeannie.dyer@rmh.nhs.uk.
authors: Jeannie
authors: J
authors: Dyer
authors: Therapies Department, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PT, UK.
authors: Lise
authors: L
authors: Cleary
authors: Therapies Department, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PT, UK.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: McNeill
authors: Therapies Department, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PT, UK.
authors: Maxine
authors: M
authors: Ragsdale-Lowe
authors: Therapies Department, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, SW3 6JJ, UK.
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: Osland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019341:Aromatherapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009822:Oils, Volatile
keywords: Aromastick; Cancer; Essential oils; Sleep