Aromatherapy for Stress and Burnout Among Healthcare Providers

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential for inhalation of plant-based aromas to reduce stress and burnout among healthcare professionals and staff in hospitals and urgent care centers.

Detailed Description
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After being informed about the study and potential risks/benefits, participants will provide e-sign informed consent documents and be randomized to one of three groups in a 1:1:1 ratio. Each participant will apply the assigned study oil to the jawline for inhalation three times daily for a total of 7 days.

Official Title
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The Effects of Aromatherapy on Stress and Burnout Among Healthcare Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A 3-Arm Randomized, Double Blind, Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Stress, Burnout, Professional, Stress, Job

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Herbaceous Essential Oil Blend
* Other: Citrus Essential Oil Blend
* Other: Inert Oil


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age 20-59 Lives in the United States Otherwise healthy Employed full time in a capacity that interacts with patients at a hospital, primary, or urgent care center that treats COVID-19 patients. Full time is defined as 35 hours or more each week. Exclusion Criteria: Positive COVID-19 test within 60 days of the study period COVID vaccine of any type scheduled during the intervention period or the week prior to the start of the study Allergy to any of the ingredients Regular smokers in the home (daily or more often) Pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding Existing use of an aromatherapy blend for stress management

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 59 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention 1<br>Participants apply an herbaceous, earthy based essential oil blend diluted in fractionated coconut oil to the jawline three times each day for 7 days. | Other: Herbaceous Essential Oil Blend<br>* Participants are given a diluted proprietary oil blend of aromatic extracts from resins, bark, and flowers to apply three times daily for the purposes of inhalation.<br>|
| Experimental: Intervention 2<br>Participants apply a light, citrus-based essential oil blend diluted in fractionated coconut oil to the jawline three times each day for 7 days. | Other: Citrus Essential Oil Blend<br>* Participants are given a diluted proprietary oil blend of aromatic extracts from citrus peel, and flowers to apply three times daily for the purposes of inhalation.<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo<br>Participants apply an inert blend including fractionated coconut oil to the jawline three times each day for 7 days. | Other: Inert Oil<br>* Participants are given an inert vegetable based oil blend to apply three times daily for the purposes of inhalation.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Post-intervention score on the Maslach Burnout Inventory for Health Personnel on day 7 | The Maslach Burnout Inventory is a 22-item scale measuring 3 constructs of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal achievement. Each item is ranked on a 7-point likert scale, scored from 0-6, with higher scores indicating higher levels of burnout. | Day 7 | 
| Post-intervention score on the Profile of Mood States, abbreviated version on day 7 | The abbreviated version of the profile of mood states contains 40 items across 7 constructs. Each item is scored on a 5 point scale ranging from 0-4 with higher scores indicating higher levels of each construct. | Day 7 | 
| Post-intervention score on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) on day 7 | The DASS is a 42-item scale measuring depression, anxiety, and stress. Each item is measured on a 4-point frequency scale, scored from 0-3, with higher scores indicating greater frequency of each symptom. | Day 7 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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aromatherapy, essential oils