Effects of Aromatherapy with Essential Oils on Anxiety and Depression in Perioperative Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

Launched by PEKING UNIVERSITY FIRST HOSPITAL · Feb 18, 2025

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ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring whether using aromatherapy with essential oils can help reduce anxiety and depression in patients with pancreatic cancer who are preparing for surgery. Over a period of 15 days, participants will receive aromatherapy for 2 hours each day. Researchers will compare the effects of the essential oils to a placebo, which is a similar-looking substance that doesn’t contain any active ingredients. To measure the outcomes, participants' anxiety and depression levels will be assessed one day before surgery, and again 14 and 42 days after the surgery.

To be eligible for this trial, participants need to be at least 18 years old, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and scheduled for specific types of surgery without any prior treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy. They also need to have a certain level of anxiety or depression before starting the study. However, individuals with a history of mental illness, severe health issues, or allergies to aromatic substances will not be able to participate. If you or a loved one meet these criteria, this trial could offer a potential way to help manage feelings of anxiety and depression during a challenging time.

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Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Meet diagnostic criteria in Chinese Anti-Cancer Association Guidelines for pancreatic cancer
• • Age ≥18 years
• • Contraception required, non-lactation period
• • Consistent with surgical indications
• • Surgical procedures: pancreaticoduodenectomy, extended pancreaticoduodenectomy, costocaudectomy, total pancreatectomy, subtotal pancreatectomy, pyloric-sparing pancreaticoduodenectomy
• • Elective surgery without preoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy
• • Normal communication
• • Preoperative SAS score ≥50 or SDS score ≥53
• • Informed consent from subject or guardian
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of mental illness or cognitive impairment
• • Severe liver/kidney disease, cardiopulmonary dysfunction, tumor recurrence/metastasis
• • Allergy or intolerance to aromatic reagents, olfactory disorders, acute respiratory disease, serious complications (unstable vital signs, blood clotting disorders, irreversible metabolic diseases)
• • Poor compliance with study protocol or participation in similar studies
• • Termination due to disease treatment or condition changes
• • Withdrawal for personal reasons
• • Deemed unsuitable by investigator.