Exam-induced Psychological StressNCT07922304
Aroma Inhalation and Exam Stress: Role of Emotional Intelligence and Stress Biomarkers
A study testing Juniper Aromatherapy and Thyme Aromatherapy in people with Exam-induced Psychological Stress and Emotional Intelligence, run by Gulbahar Boyuk Ozcan at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study is an interventional investigation aiming to evaluate the physiological effects of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and juniper (Juniperus communis) essential oil aroma inhalation on examination stress in medical students. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Exam-induced Psychological Stress, Emotional Intelligence, Physiological Stress Responses in Healthy University Students
- What is being tested?
- Juniper Aromatherapy and Thyme Aromatherapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 94 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 20 Jun 2024to 15 Dec 2024
- 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 25 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Being willing to participate in the research, being a medical student, not having a cardiovascular disease, not having any allergies to odors, not being pregnant, not having any respiratory system diseases (such as asthma, COPD, etc.), not having any condition that prevents smelling, not using any medication that affects heart rate and blood pressure, and not having any psychiatric illness.
Who cannot join
- The communication barrier, incomplete filling of forms, menstruation in girls, allergy to the scents of thyme and juniper oil, and the occurrence of any side effects during the application.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Ankara Medipol University
Ankara, Altindag, 06050
About this study
Official title: Effect of Aroma Inhalations (Thyme and Juniper) on Exam Stress and Apelin and Cerebral (BDNF) Stress Response (GRP78) According to Emotional Intelligence Levels and Stress Management Skills
This study is an interventional investigation aiming to evaluate the physiological effects of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and juniper (Juniperus communis) essential oil aroma inhalation on examination stress in medical students. The research assesses participants' emotional intelligence and exam anxiety levels, and analyzes changes in salivary apelin, BDNF, and GRP78 levels using the ELISA method before and after the aromatherapy intervention.
Read the detailed description
Study Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effects of aroma inhalations (thyme and juniper) on exam stress, adipokines (apelin), neurotrophic factors (BDNF), and endoplasmic reticulum stress responses (GRP78) based on emotional intelligence and exam anxiety levels in medical students. Methods: The study is a three-arm, randomized, controlled interventional investigation conducted on healthy volunteer medical students. Saliva samples are collected before inhalation and immediately after the 15-minute intervention. The ELISA technique is utilized to determine salivary apelin, BDNF, and GRP78 levels.
- Conditions
- Exam-induced Psychological Stress, Emotional Intelligence, Physiological Stress Responses in Healthy University Students
- Being tested
- Juniper Aromatherapy, Thyme Aromatherapy
- Keywords
- Aroma inhalation, Thyme essential oil, Juniper essential oil, Exam stress, Emotional intelligence, Exam anxiety, Apelin, BDNF, GRP78, Stress biomarkers, Salivary biomarkers, Cognitive support, University students, ELISA, Stress management
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Juniper AromatherapyOther
Participants inhale juniper essential oil (2 drops) via a diffuser or inhaler for approximately 40 minutes during the exam session. This inhalation is intended to assess effects on anxiety-related physiological and hormonal parameters.
Thyme AromatherapyOther
Participants inhale thyme essential oil (2 drops) via a diffuser or inhaler for approximately 40 minutes during the exam session. This inhalation is intended to assess effects on anxiety-related physiological and hormonal parameters.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Juniper Aromatherapy Group | Experimental | Participants inhale juniper essential oil for 40 minutes during the exam. Physiological and hormonal measurements are taken before and after inhalation. Receives: Other: Juniper Aromatherapy |
| Thyme Aromatherapy Group | Experimental | Participants inhale thyme essential oil for 40 minutes during the exam. Physiological and hormonal measurements are taken before and after inhalation. Receives: Other: Thyme Aromatherapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Salivary Apelin Levels
Salivary apelin levels will be measured to evaluate the metabolic and neuroendocrine response to aroma inhalation.
Measured: Immediately before inhalation and immediately after the 15-minute inhalation intervention
Change in Salivary BDNF Levels
Salivary BDNF levels will be measured as a neurotrophic and physiological stress indicator.
Measured: Immediately before inhalation and immediately after the 15-minute inhalation intervention
Change in Salivary GRP78 Levels
Salivary GRP78 levels will be measured to monitor cellular endoplasmic reticulum stress responses.
Measured: Immediately before inhalation and immediately after the 15-minute inhalation intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Nov 2026
- Study start20 Jun 2024
- Primary completion30 Jun 2024
- Study completion15 Dec 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Exam-induced Psychological StressStudies 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
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Model description
- Participants are their own controls (pre-post measurement is being conducted). Since both "before" and "after" applications are performed on the same participant, a crossover design would be appropriate.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 94 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Gulbahar Boyuk Ozcan
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Gulbahar Boyuk Ozcan, Ankara Medipol University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07922304
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AROMA-MED-2025-02
- Other IDs
- E-81477236-604.01.01-3006
- Status last verified
- Nov 2026
- First submitted
- 9 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 6 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: The individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to ethical considerations and institutional restrictions.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Aroma Inhalations (Thyme and Juniper) on Exam Stress and Apelin and Cerebral (BDNF) Stress Response (GRP78) According to Emotional Intelligence Levels and Stress Management Skills
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07922304
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AROMA-MED-2025-02
- Conditions
- Exam-induced Psychological Stress, Emotional Intelligence, Physiological Stress Responses in Healthy University Students
- Keywords
- Aroma inhalation, Thyme essential oil, Juniper essential oil, Exam stress, Emotional intelligence, Exam anxiety, Apelin, BDNF
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 94 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Gulbahar Boyuk OzcanUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Jun 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Dec 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 6 Nov 2026 (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 study is an interventional investigation aiming to evaluate the physiological effects of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and juniper (Juniperus communis) essential oil aroma inhalation on examination stress in medical students. The research assesses participants' emotional intelligence and exam anxiety levels, and analyzes changes in salivary apelin, BDNF, and GRP78 levels using the ELISA method before and after the aromatherapy intervention.
Detailed description
Study Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effects of aroma inhalations (thyme and juniper) on exam stress, adipokines (apelin), neurotrophic factors (BDNF), and endoplasmic reticulum stress responses (GRP78) based on emotional intelligence and exam anxiety levels in medical students. Methods: The study is a three-arm, randomized, controlled interventional investigation conducted on healthy volunteer medical students. Saliva samples are collected before inhalation and immediately after the 15-minute intervention. The ELISA technique is utilized to determine salivary apelin, BDNF, and GRP78 levels.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants are their own controls (pre-post measurement is being conducted). Since both "before" and "after" applications are performed on the same participant, a crossover design would be appropriate.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Juniper Aromatherapy Group | Experimental | Other: Juniper AromatherapyParticipants inhale juniper essential oil for 40 minutes during the exam. Physiological and hormonal measurements are taken before and after inhalation. |
| Thyme Aromatherapy Group | Experimental | Other: Thyme AromatherapyParticipants inhale thyme essential oil for 40 minutes during the exam. Physiological and hormonal measurements are taken before and after inhalation. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Being willing to participate in the research, being a medical student, not having a cardiovascular disease, not having any allergies to odors, not being pregnant, not having any respiratory system diseases (such as asthma, COPD, etc.), not having any condition that prevents smelling, not using any medication that affects heart rate and blood pressure, and not having any psychiatric illness.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- The communication barrier, incomplete filling of forms, menstruation in girls, allergy to the scents of thyme and juniper oil, and the occurrence of any side effects during the application.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Juniper AromatherapyParticipants inhale juniper essential oil (2 drops) via a diffuser or inhaler for approximately 40 minutes during the exam session. This inhalation is intended to assess effects on anxiety-related physiological and hormonal parameters. | Other | Juniper Aromatherapy Group |
| Thyme AromatherapyParticipants inhale thyme essential oil (2 drops) via a diffuser or inhaler for approximately 40 minutes during the exam session. This inhalation is intended to assess effects on anxiety-related physiological and hormonal parameters. | Other | Thyme Aromatherapy Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Salivary Apelin Levels
Time frame: Immediately before inhalation and immediately after the 15-minute inhalation intervention
Salivary apelin levels will be measured to evaluate the metabolic and neuroendocrine response to aroma inhalation.
Change in Salivary BDNF Levels
Time frame: Immediately before inhalation and immediately after the 15-minute inhalation intervention
Salivary BDNF levels will be measured as a neurotrophic and physiological stress indicator.
Change in Salivary GRP78 Levels
Time frame: Immediately before inhalation and immediately after the 15-minute inhalation intervention
Salivary GRP78 levels will be measured to monitor cellular endoplasmic reticulum stress responses.
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 6 Nov 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. The individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to ethical considerations and institutional restrictions.
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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Juniper Aromatherapy and Thyme Aromatherapy in people with Exam-induced Psychological Stress and Emotional Intelligence, run by Gulbahar Boyuk Ozcan at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 1 inclusion and 1 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 6 Nov 2026. 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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 Salivary Apelin Levels (time frame: Immediately before inhalation and immediately after the 15-minute inhalation intervention). The study lists 3 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 6 Nov 2026.