Randomized trial of aromatherapy versus conventional care for breast cancer patients during perioperative periods.
Several studies focused on the effect of aromatherapy on mood, quality of life (QOL), and physical symptoms in patients with cancer. We compared the effects on QOL, vital signs, and sleep quality between aromatherapy and conventional therapy during perioperative periods of the breast cancer patients in this study.



Patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive aromatherapy or usual care. The primary endpoint was QOL, which was assessed using the quality of life questionnaire QLQ-C30, Version 3.0 of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Study Group on quality of life. Secondary endpoints included the necessity of hypnotics, vital signs including blood pressure and heart rate and adverse events. In addition, we also summarized the patients' perception of the experience from a free description-type questionnaire.



A total of 249 patients had breast cancer surgery and 162 patients gave physician consent and were recruited; 110 were randomly assigned to aromatherapy group (eight patients showed incomplete EORTC QLQ-C30) and 52 to control group (one patient showed incomplete EORTC QLQ-C30). There were no statistically significant differences between the aromatherapy group and control group in the EORTC QLQ-C30 at the surgery day. As for the results of the post-operation day 1, trends for differentiations of physical functioning and role functioning were detected between aromatherapy group and control group, but the differences did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.08 and 0.09). There were no significant differences of systolic and diastolic blood pressures between aromatherapy group and control group (p = 0.82 and 0.68). There was no statistically significant difference in heart rates between aromatherapy group (70.6 ± 11.0 bpm) and control group (71.2 ± 9.8 bpm) (p = 0.73). Likewise, the rate of hypnotic use was not statistically significant (p = 0.10). No adverse events were reported after aromatherapy and all impressions from aromatherapy group were positive with descriptors such as relaxed, comfortable, and enjoyable being common.



The results showed no effects of aromatherapy on QOL, sleep quality, and vital sign. However, there was not any harm or adverse event for using aromatherapy. All impressions from self-reporting were positive such as relaxed, comfortable, and enjoyable by the aromatherapy group. Therefore, we can use aromatherapy during perioperative periods in order to meet the expectations of the patients.
Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Nahanishi Clinic Okinawa, Okinawa Japan.2-1-9, Akamine, Naha, Okinawa, 901-0154, Japan. k-tamaki@naha-nishi-clinic.or.jp.
Kentaro
K
Tamaki
Nursing Department, Nahanishi Clinic Okinawa, Okinawa Japan. 2-1-9, Akamine, Naha, Okinawa, 901-0154, Japan.
Akiko Komatsu
AK
Fukuyama
Department of Internal Medicine, Nahanishi Clinic Okinawa, Okinawa Japan.2-1-9, Akamine, Naha, Okinawa, 901-0154, Japan.
Shigeharu
S
Terukina
Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Nahanishi Clinic Okinawa, Okinawa Japan.2-1-9, Akamine, Naha, Okinawa, 901-0154, Japan.
Yoshihiko
Y
Kamada
Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Nahanishi Clinic Okinawa, Okinawa Japan.2-1-9, Akamine, Naha, Okinawa, 901-0154, Japan.
Kano
K
Uehara
Department of Clinical Research Center, Nahanishi Clinic, Okinawa Japan.2-1-9, Akamine, Naha, Okinawa, 901-0154, Japan.
Miwa
M
Arakaki
Nursing Department, Nahanishi Clinic Okinawa, Okinawa Japan. 2-1-9, Akamine, Naha, Okinawa, 901-0154, Japan.
Kazuko
K
Yamashiro
Department of Surgical Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. 1-1 Seiryo-machi Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan.
Minoru
M
Miyashita
Department of Surgical Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. 1-1 Seiryo-machi Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan.
Takanori
T
Ishida
Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan. 1-1 Seiryo-machi Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan.
Keely May
KM
McNamara
Department of Surgical Oncology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. 1-1 Seiryo-machi Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan.
Noriaki
N
Ohuchi
Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Nahanishi Clinic Okinawa, Okinawa Japan.2-1-9, Akamine, Naha, Okinawa, 901-0154, Japan.
Nobumitsu
N
Tamaki
Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan. 1-1 Seiryo-machi Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan.
Hironobu
H
Sasano
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019341:Aromatherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D015415:Biomarkers; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D059035:Perioperative Period; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015415:Biomarkers
Aromatherapy; Breast cancer; Perioperative periods; QOL