Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV)Aroma-CINVNCT07209501
Evaluating the Feasibility and Acceptability of Inhalation Aromatherapy for Patients Undergoing Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT)
A study testing Aromatherapy inhaler in people with Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV), run by Singapore General Hospital at 1 site in Singapore.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether aromatherapy inhaler sticks can reduce nausea and vomiting in patients receiving chemotherapy as part of their stem cell transplant treatment. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 21 to 99 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV)
- What is being tested?
- Aromatherapy inhaler
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSingapore
- Study dates
- 15 May 2025to 24 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 21 to 99 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- At least 21 years and older
- Able to provide informed consent
- Admitted for autologous stem cell transplant receiving melphalan conditioning chemotherapy regime
- Willing to have interviews audio-recorded
Who cannot join
- Currently using essential oils of any form (e.g. diffuser, topical application,
- Known sensitivity/ allergy to essential oils
- Any olfactory impairments (i.e. conditions that impair or alter sense of smell - for example, allergic rhinitis, chronic lung disease, blocked nose)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Evaluating the Feasibility and Acceptability of Inhalation Aromatherapy for Reducing Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV) in Patients Undergoing Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT): A Pilot Study
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether aromatherapy inhaler sticks can reduce nausea and vomiting in patients receiving chemotherapy as part of their stem cell transplant treatment. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Can aromatherapy inhaler sticks be practically used by patients undergoing stem cell transplant (feasibility)?
- Do patients find aromatherapy inhaler sticks acceptable to use during their treatment?
- How effective are aromatherapy inhaler sticks at reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting?
- What are patients' experiences when using aromatherapy during stem cell transplant?
Read more
Researchers will compare patients using aromatherapy inhaler sticks with essential oils to patients using inhaler sticks with only jojoba oil (placebo) to see if the essential oils provide additional benefits for reducing nausea and vomiting.
Participants will:
- Use their assigned inhaler stick every four hours when awake and whenever they feel nauseous
- Hold the inhaler stick a finger's length from their nostrils and inhale through one nostril at a time
- Use the inhaler stick for no more than 5 minutes per session
- Begin using the inhaler on the day of chemotherapy and continue until five days after chemotherapy completion (total of six days)
- Receive standard care for nausea and vomiting alongside the inhaler stick
- Complete study journals to record their experiences This is a single-blinded study, meaning participants will not know whether they received the aromatherapy or placebo inhaler stick.
- Being tested
- Aromatherapy inhaler, Aromatherapy inhaler (placebo)
- Keywords
- aromatherapy, Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting, Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant
- Medical subject headings
- Vomiting
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Aromatherapy inhalerOther
Participants in the intervention group will receive inhalation therapy via an aromatherapy inhaler stick*, on top of standard care. Participants will be instructed to use the inhaler stick every four hours when they are awake, and whenever they feel nauseous, by holding the inhaler stick a finger's length away from their nostrils and inhaling through one nostril at a time. Each inhaler administration should not last more than 5 minutes. Participants will commence using the inhaler stick on the day of chemotherapy, until five days after the completion of chemotherapy (total of six days). Given the subjective nature of scents, participants in the intervention group will be given a choice between two therapeutic aroma blends - N1 and N2 - before commencing the study. This approach aims to minimize the risk of negative associations with a particular scent and enhance participant adherence to the intervention.
Aromatherapy inhaler (placebo)Other
Participants in the control group will receive the placebo intervention in addition to standard care. They will be provided with an identical aromatherapy inhaler stick infused solely with jojoba oil. Jojoba oil, primarily used as a carrier oil for dilution, has littleto- no scent and no known therapeutic or anxiolytic effects when inhaled.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Placebo comparator | Participants in the control group will receive the placebo intervention in addition to standard care. Participants will be provided with an identical aromatherapy inhaler stick infused solely with jojoba oil. Jojoba oil, primarily used as a carrier oil for dilution, has little to- no scent and no known therapeutic or anxiolytic effects when inhaled. This ensures that any potential benefits observed in the intervention group can be attributed to the active essential oil blends rather than the inhalation process itself. Receives: Other: Aromatherapy inhaler (placebo) |
| Intervention group | Active comparator | Participants in the intervention group will receive inhalation therapy via an aromatherapy inhaler stick*, on top of standard care.
Participants will be instructed to use the inhaler stick every four hours when they are awake, and whenever they feel nauseous, by holding the inhaler stick a finger's length away from their nostrils and inhaling through one nostril at a time. Each administration should not last more than 5 minutes. Participants will commence using the inhaler stick on the day of chemotherapy, until five days after the completion of chemotherapy (a total of six days). Receives: Other: Aromatherapy inhaler |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Recruitment Rate
Percentage of eligible patients who consent to join the study will be measured to evaluate the feasibility of using inhalation aromatherapy to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) for patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)
Measured: From commencement of study (Day 1) to the end of treatment (Day 6)
Retention Rate
Percentage of participants who complete the study will be measured to evaluate the feasibility of using inhalation aromatherapy to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) for patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)
Measured: From commencement of study (Day 1) to the end of treatment (Day 6)
Adherence rate
Percentage of participants in the intervention group who use the inhaler stick as instructed measured to evaluate the feasibility of using inhalation aromatherapy to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) for patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)
Measured: From commencement of study (Day 1) to the end of treatment (Day 6)
Patient-reported satisfaction
Measured through Likert-scale items at the end of the study to evaluate the acceptability of using inhalation aromatherapy to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). The Feasibility of intervention Likert-scale and the Acceptability of intervention Liker-scale will be used. The Likert-scale consist of a rating of 1- 5 where 1 is strongly disagree and 5 is strongly agree and to be rated by participants.
Measured: From commencement of study (Day 1) to the end of treatment (Day 6)
Perceptions and Overall Experience
Qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews on ease of use, perceived helpfulness and overall experience to evaluate acceptability of using inhalation aromatherapy to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) for patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)
Measured: From commencement of study (Day 1) to the end of treatment (Day 6)
Secondary outcomes (5)
Severity of Nausea
Patient-reported nausea severity measured daily using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS, 0 = no nausea, 10 = worst possible nausea).
Measured: From commencement of study (Day 1) to the end of treatment (Day 6)
Frequency of Vomiting
Number of vomiting episodes recorded in patient journals and verified against electronic medical records
Measured: From commencement of study (Day 1) to the end of treatment (Day 6)
Use of Rescue Anti-Emetics
Frequency and dosage of rescue anti-emetic medication administered, retrieved from electronic medical records
Measured: From commencement of study (Day 1) to the end of treatment (Day 6)
Oral Intake
Daily oral intake as documented in medical records as an indicator of nausea levels
Measured: From commencement of study (Day 1) to end of treatment (Day 6)
Grading of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV)
Grading of CINV severity using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE v5.0) on a 0-4 scale, where higher scores indicate more severe symptoms
Measured: From commencement of study (Day 1) to end of treatment (Day 6)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Oct 2025
- Study start15 May 2025
- Primary completion23 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion24 Jun 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Singapore General HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Singapore General Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Cancer Centre, Singapore
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Cheryl Tay, Bachelor of Nursing, Principal investigator, Singapore General Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07209501
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2024-3551
- Other IDs
- 2024AMII-Aug03
- Acronym
- Aroma-CINV
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 2 Oct 2025
- Last updated
- 22 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 Dec 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluating the Feasibility and Acceptability of Inhalation Aromatherapy for Reducing Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV) in Patients Undergoing Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT): A Pilot Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07209501
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Aroma-CINV / 2024-3551
- Keywords
- aromatherapy, Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting, Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Enrolling by invitation
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Singapore General HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Cancer Centre, Singapore
- Study start
- 15 May 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 23 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 24 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 7 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether aromatherapy inhaler sticks can reduce nausea and vomiting in patients receiving chemotherapy as part of their stem cell transplant treatment. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Can aromatherapy inhaler sticks be practically used by patients undergoing stem cell transplant (feasibility)?
- Do patients find aromatherapy inhaler sticks acceptable to use during their treatment?
- How effective are aromatherapy inhaler sticks at reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting?
- What are patients' experiences when using aromatherapy during stem cell transplant?
Researchers will compare patients using aromatherapy inhaler sticks with essential oils to patients using inhaler sticks with only jojoba oil (placebo) to see if the essential oils provide additional benefits for reducing nausea and vomiting.
Participants will:
- Use their assigned inhaler stick every four hours when awake and whenever they feel nauseous
- Hold the inhaler stick a finger's length from their nostrils and inhale through one nostril at a time
- Use the inhaler stick for no more than 5 minutes per session
- Begin using the inhaler on the day of chemotherapy and continue until five days after chemotherapy completion (total of six days)
- Receive standard care for nausea and vomiting alongside the inhaler stick
- Complete study journals to record their experiences This is a single-blinded study, meaning participants will not know whether they received the aromatherapy or placebo inhaler stick.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Placebo comparator | Other: Aromatherapy inhaler (placebo)Participants in the control group will receive the placebo intervention in addition to standard care. Participants will be provided with an identical aromatherapy inhaler stick infused solely with jojoba oil. Jojoba oil, primarily used as a carrier oil for dilution, has little to- no scent and no known therapeutic or anxiolytic effects when inhaled. This ensures that any potential benefits observed in the intervention group can be attributed to the active essential oil blends rather than the inhalation process itself. |
| Intervention group | Active comparator | Other: Aromatherapy inhalerParticipants in the intervention group will receive inhalation therapy via an aromatherapy inhaler stick*, on top of standard care. Participants will be instructed to use the inhaler stick every four hours when they are awake, and whenever they feel nauseous, by holding the inhaler stick a finger's length away from their nostrils and inhaling through one nostril at a time. Each administration should not last more than 5 minutes. Participants will commence using the inhaler stick on the day of chemotherapy, until five days after the completion of chemotherapy (a total of six days). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 21 to 99 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- At least 21 years and older
- Able to provide informed consent
- Admitted for autologous stem cell transplant receiving melphalan conditioning chemotherapy regime
- Willing to have interviews audio-recorded
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Currently using essential oils of any form (e.g. diffuser, topical application,
- Known sensitivity/ allergy to essential oils
- Any olfactory impairments (i.e. conditions that impair or alter sense of smell - for example, allergic rhinitis, chronic lung disease, blocked nose)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Aromatherapy inhalerParticipants in the intervention group will receive inhalation therapy via an aromatherapy inhaler stick*, on top of standard care. Participants will be instructed to use the inhaler stick every four hours when they are awake, and whenever they feel nauseous, by holding the inhaler stick a finger's length away from their nostrils and inhaling through one nostril at a time. Each inhaler administration should not last more than 5 minutes. Participants will commence using the inhaler stick on the day of chemotherapy, until five days after the completion of chemotherapy (total of six days). Given the subjective nature of scents, participants in the intervention group will be given a choice between two therapeutic aroma blends - N1 and N2 - before commencing the study. This approach aims to minimize the risk of negative associations with a particular scent and enhance participant adherence to the intervention. | Other | Intervention group |
| Aromatherapy inhaler (placebo)Participants in the control group will receive the placebo intervention in addition to standard care. They will be provided with an identical aromatherapy inhaler stick infused solely with jojoba oil. Jojoba oil, primarily used as a carrier oil for dilution, has littleto- no scent and no known therapeutic or anxiolytic effects when inhaled. | Other | Control Group |
Primary outcome
Recruitment Rate
Time frame: From commencement of study (Day 1) to the end of treatment (Day 6)
Percentage of eligible patients who consent to join the study will be measured to evaluate the feasibility of using inhalation aromatherapy to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) for patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)
Retention Rate
Time frame: From commencement of study (Day 1) to the end of treatment (Day 6)
Percentage of participants who complete the study will be measured to evaluate the feasibility of using inhalation aromatherapy to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) for patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)
Adherence rate
Time frame: From commencement of study (Day 1) to the end of treatment (Day 6)
Percentage of participants in the intervention group who use the inhaler stick as instructed measured to evaluate the feasibility of using inhalation aromatherapy to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) for patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)
Patient-reported satisfaction
Time frame: From commencement of study (Day 1) to the end of treatment (Day 6)
Measured through Likert-scale items at the end of the study to evaluate the acceptability of using inhalation aromatherapy to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). The Feasibility of intervention Likert-scale and the Acceptability of intervention Liker-scale will be used. The Likert-scale consist of a rating of 1- 5 where 1 is strongly disagree and 5 is strongly agree and to be rated by participants.
Perceptions and Overall Experience
Time frame: From commencement of study (Day 1) to the end of treatment (Day 6)
Qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews on ease of use, perceived helpfulness and overall experience to evaluate acceptability of using inhalation aromatherapy to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) for patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)
5 secondary outcomes
Severity of Nausea
Time frame: From commencement of study (Day 1) to the end of treatment (Day 6)
Frequency of Vomiting
Time frame: From commencement of study (Day 1) to the end of treatment (Day 6)
Use of Rescue Anti-Emetics
Time frame: From commencement of study (Day 1) to the end of treatment (Day 6)
Oral Intake
Time frame: From commencement of study (Day 1) to end of treatment (Day 6)
Grading of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV)
Time frame: From commencement of study (Day 1) to end of treatment (Day 6)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 22 Dec 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Cheryl Tay, Bachelor of Nursing principal investigator
Singapore General Hospital
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Aromatherapy inhaler in people with Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV), run by Singapore General Hospital at 1 site in Singapore.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Singapore. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Recruitment Rate (time frame: From commencement of study (Day 1) to the end of treatment (Day 6)). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 Dec 2025.