CancerNCT07292844
Effect of Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy on Pain and Blood Pressure in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
A study testing Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy in people with Cancer and Chemotherapy Induced Pain, run by Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta at 1 site in Indonesia.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effect of geranium inhalation aromatherapy on pain and blood pressure among Indonesian cancer patients undergoing intravenous chemotherapy. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Cancer, Chemotherapy Induced Pain, Blood Pressure Changes in Cancer Patients
- What is being tested?
- Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 90 participants
- Where
- 1 siteIndonesia
- Study dates
- 1 May 2022to 30 Sep 2022
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Cancer patients undergoing intravenous chemotherapy (regimen 1 / series 1)
- Age less than 65 years
- Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 22.9 kg/m².
- Willing to participate and able to provide informed consent.
- Exlusion:
- Patients with conditions affecting the sense of smell (e.g., severe nasal obstruction or anosmia).
Show all 9Show fewer
- Patients with known allergies to essential oils or plant-based aromatherapy products.
- Patients experiencing acute medical emergencies or unstable hemodynamic conditions during chemotherapy.
- Patients who withdraw consent at any stage of the study.
Who cannot join
None listed.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effect of Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy on Reducing Pain and Blood Pressure Among Indonesian Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effect of geranium inhalation aromatherapy on pain and blood pressure among Indonesian cancer patients undergoing intravenous chemotherapy. A total of 90 participants under the age of 65 with normal BMI will be enrolled and randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive geranium essential oil inhalation using three drops applied to cotton and inhaled for 15 minutes during chemotherapy sessions, while the control group will receive usual care without aromatherapy. Pain intensity will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and blood pressure will be recorded using a standard digital blood pressure monitor before and after the intervention. This study aims to evaluate whether geranium aromatherapy can be feasibly implemented as a complementary supportive therapy during chemotherapy. Study Started Date after January 18, 2017
Read the detailed description
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy frequently experience a range of physical and psychological side effects, including pain, fatigue, nausea, sleep disturbances, and fluctuations in blood pressure. Complementary approaches such as aromatherapy are increasingly explored as supportive interventions due to their accessibility, safety, and low cost. Geranium essential oil contains bioactive components such as geraniol and citronellol, which have been noted for potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and relaxing properties. This study utilizes a randomized controlled trial design to evaluate the effect of geranium inhalation aromatherapy on pain and blood pressure among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at a public hospital in Surakarta, Indonesia. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of Dr. Moewardi General Hospital prior to participant recruitment.
Ninety patients meeting the inclusion criteria (age < 65 years, normal BMI, undergoing chemotherapy regimen 1, and providing informed consent) will be selected using simple random sampling. Participants will be randomly assigned into two equal groups: an intervention group receiving geranium inhalation aromatherapy and a control group receiving standard care without aromatherapy. The intervention consists of applying three drops of geranium essential oil onto cotton, which patients will inhale for 15 minutes during their chemotherapy sessions, conducted twice per month. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will include demographic characteristics, pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and blood pressure recorded using an OMRON digital blood pressure monitor. Data analysis will involve paired t-tests, independent t-tests, and chi-square tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. This study is designed to explore potential physiological mechanisms related to aromatherapy, which may include olfactory system stimulation, relaxation responses, modulation of endogenous hormones, and autonomic regulation. The study also acknowledges possible limitations such as sample size, intervention duration, and the absence of biomarker assessments.
- Conditions
- Cancer, Chemotherapy Induced Pain, Blood Pressure Changes in Cancer Patients, Chemotherapy Side Effects
- Being tested
- Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy
- Keywords
- Blood Pressure, Cancer, Chemotherapy, Geranium Aromatherapy, Pain
- Medical subject headings
- Neoplasms, Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Geranium Inhalation AromatherapyOther
Also called Geranium Essential Oil Inhalation, Aromatherapy with Geranium Oil
Participants received inhalation aromatherapy using geranium essential oil during their chemotherapy session. Three drops of geranium essential oil were placed on a piece of cotton positioned near the patient to allow continuous inhalation. The aromatherapy was administered for 15 minutes during chemotherapy and given twice per month. Pain intensity (VAS) and blood pressure were measured before and after each session. The control group received usual care without aromatherapy.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy | Experimental | Participants in this arm received geranium inhalation aromatherapy during their chemotherapy session. Three drops of geranium essential oil were placed on a piece of cotton and inhaled for 15 minutes during chemotherapy, administered twice per month. Pain and blood pressure were assessed before and after the intervention Receives: Other: Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy |
| Usual Care / No Aromatherapy | No intervention | Participants in this arm received standard chemotherapy care without any aromatherapy intervention. They underwent the same assessment procedures as the intervention group, including pre- and post-treatment measurements of pain and blood pressure, but no essential oil was administered |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale - VAS)
Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). Measurements were conducted immediately before the intervention and immediately after the 15-minute aromatherapy exposure during chemotherapy. The primary outcome is the change in VAS score from pre- to post-intervention.
Measured: Measured immediately before and after each aromatherapy session (single-session pre-post measurement).
Secondary outcomes (1)
Change in Systolic Blood Pressure
Diastolic blood pressure was measured using the OMRON HEM-7156AT blood pressure device before and after the 15-minute aromatherapy exposure. The outcome is defined as the pre-post change in diastolic blood pressure
Measured: Measured immediately before and after each aromatherapy session.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Dec 2025
- Study start1 May 2022
- Primary completion30 Aug 2022
- Study completion30 Sep 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for CancerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned into two parallel groups (geranium aromatherapy vs. control) with no crossover during the study period
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Fahrun Nur Rosyid, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta
- Investigators
- FIK UMS, Principal investigator, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07292844
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UMS-GERANIUM-RCT2022
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 22 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 18 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared because the study did not include a data sharing plan in the ethics approval, and the dataset contains identifiable clinical information that cannot be disclosed
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Dec 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy on Reducing Pain and Blood Pressure Among Indonesian Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07292844
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UMS-GERANIUM-RCT2022
- Conditions
- Cancer, Chemotherapy Induced Pain, Blood Pressure Changes in Cancer Patients, Chemotherapy Side Effects
- Keywords
- Blood Pressure, Cancer, Chemotherapy, Geranium Aromatherapy, Pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Universitas Muhammadiyah SurakartaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 May 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Aug 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 18 Dec 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.
This randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effect of geranium inhalation aromatherapy on pain and blood pressure among Indonesian cancer patients undergoing intravenous chemotherapy. A total of 90 participants under the age of 65 with normal BMI will be enrolled and randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive geranium essential oil inhalation using three drops applied to cotton and inhaled for 15 minutes during chemotherapy sessions, while the control group will receive usual care without aromatherapy. Pain intensity will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and blood pressure will be recorded using a standard digital blood pressure monitor before and after the intervention. This study aims to evaluate whether geranium aromatherapy can be feasibly implemented as a complementary supportive therapy during chemotherapy. Study Started Date after January 18, 2017
Detailed description
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy frequently experience a range of physical and psychological side effects, including pain, fatigue, nausea, sleep disturbances, and fluctuations in blood pressure. Complementary approaches such as aromatherapy are increasingly explored as supportive interventions due to their accessibility, safety, and low cost. Geranium essential oil contains bioactive components such as geraniol and citronellol, which have been noted for potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and relaxing properties. This study utilizes a randomized controlled trial design to evaluate the effect of geranium inhalation aromatherapy on pain and blood pressure among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at a public hospital in Surakarta, Indonesia. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of Dr. Moewardi General Hospital prior to participant recruitment.
Ninety patients meeting the inclusion criteria (age < 65 years, normal BMI, undergoing chemotherapy regimen 1, and providing informed consent) will be selected using simple random sampling. Participants will be randomly assigned into two equal groups: an intervention group receiving geranium inhalation aromatherapy and a control group receiving standard care without aromatherapy. The intervention consists of applying three drops of geranium essential oil onto cotton, which patients will inhale for 15 minutes during their chemotherapy sessions, conducted twice per month. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will include demographic characteristics, pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and blood pressure recorded using an OMRON digital blood pressure monitor. Data analysis will involve paired t-tests, independent t-tests, and chi-square tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. This study is designed to explore potential physiological mechanisms related to aromatherapy, which may include olfactory system stimulation, relaxation responses, modulation of endogenous hormones, and autonomic regulation. The study also acknowledges possible limitations such as sample size, intervention duration, and the absence of biomarker assessments.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned into two parallel groups (geranium aromatherapy vs. control) with no crossover during the study period
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy | Experimental | Other: Geranium Inhalation AromatherapyParticipants in this arm received geranium inhalation aromatherapy during their chemotherapy session. Three drops of geranium essential oil were placed on a piece of cotton and inhaled for 15 minutes during chemotherapy, administered twice per month. Pain and blood pressure were assessed before and after the intervention |
| Usual Care / No Aromatherapy | No intervention | –Participants in this arm received standard chemotherapy care without any aromatherapy intervention. They underwent the same assessment procedures as the intervention group, including pre- and post-treatment measurements of pain and blood pressure, but no essential oil was administered |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Cancer patients undergoing intravenous chemotherapy (regimen 1 / series 1)
- Age less than 65 years
- Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 22.9 kg/m².
- Willing to participate and able to provide informed consent.
- Patients with conditions affecting the sense of smell (e.g., severe nasal obstruction or anosmia).
Key exclusion criteria (0 listed)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Geranium Inhalation AromatherapyAlso: Geranium Essential Oil Inhalation, Aromatherapy with Geranium OilParticipants received inhalation aromatherapy using geranium essential oil during their chemotherapy session. Three drops of geranium essential oil were placed on a piece of cotton positioned near the patient to allow continuous inhalation. The aromatherapy was administered for 15 minutes during chemotherapy and given twice per month. Pain intensity (VAS) and blood pressure were measured before and after each session. The control group received usual care without aromatherapy. | Other | Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy |
Primary outcome
Change in Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale - VAS)
Time frame: Measured immediately before and after each aromatherapy session (single-session pre-post measurement).
Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). Measurements were conducted immediately before the intervention and immediately after the 15-minute aromatherapy exposure during chemotherapy. The primary outcome is the change in VAS score from pre- to post-intervention.
1 secondary outcome
Change in Systolic Blood Pressure
Time frame: Measured immediately before and after each aromatherapy session.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Dec 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared because the study did not include a data sharing plan in the ethics approval, and the dataset contains identifiable clinical information that cannot be disclosed
Related trials for Cancer
Not yet recruitingPhase 1
Hepatic Artery Infusion of Carfilzomib in Participants With Liver Metastatic Disease Previously Treated With Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump Therapy
Colorectal Neoplasms, Neoplasms
RecruitingPhase 2
Tafasitamab With Acalabrutinib and Venetoclax for the Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma
Active, not recruitingPhase 1/2
Selumetinib in Treating Young Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Low Grade Glioma
Low Grade Glioma, Recurrent Childhood Pilocytic Astrocytoma
Enrolling by invitationPhase 2
A Single-Arm Study of Nimotuzumab Combined With NALIRIFOX as First-Line Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer Metastatic
Recruiting
Methylation Profiling in Self-Samples for Identification of (Epi)Genetic Biomarkers for Gynecological Cancers
Gynaecological Cancers, Ovarian Cancer
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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
FIK UMS principal investigator
Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy in people with Cancer and Chemotherapy Induced Pain, run by Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta at 1 site in Indonesia.
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 9 inclusion and 0 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 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 Indonesia. 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. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Change in Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale - VAS) (time frame: Measured immediately before and after each aromatherapy session (single-session pre-post measurement).). 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 18 Dec 2025.