Aromatherapy for Mental Health Promotion in IVF Patients

Sponsor
Federal University of Minas Gerais
Study ID
NCT07480668
Status
Recruiting
Apply to this trial

Conditions

  • Anxiety
  • Aromatherapy
  • Complementary Therapies
  • Depression Disorder
  • IVF
  • Infertility
  • Quality of Life
  • Spirituality
  • Stress

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
FEMALE
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Lavender essential oil Inhalation — OTHER
    The inhalation of lavender essential oil will be performed twice a day, preferably upon waking and before nighttime sleep. Participants will be instructed to settle into a quiet environment, lying down or sitting, to consciously perform the inhalation. The procedure consists of opening the inhaler, positioning it approximately 1cm from the nostrils, and beginning the inhalation through habitual breaths.The protocol stipulates that each inhalation session lasts 15 minutes, which can be timed on the participant's own cell phone. After the inhalation is finished, the inhaler should be kept closed. To facilitate monitoring and ensure adherence to the protocol, participants will receive a weekly schedule to record completed sessions and will be encouraged to keep an aromatherapy diary to record their perceptions and feelings throughout the study, providing qualitative data that will contribute to analyzing the effect of the practice on the well-being of women undergoing fertility treatment.
  • Synthetic lavender aroma inhalation — OTHER
    The inhalation of synthetic lavender essence will be performed twice a day, preferably upon waking and before bedtime. Participants will be instructed to find a quiet environment, lying down or sitting, to consciously perform the inhalation. The procedure consists of opening the inhaler, positioning it approximately 1 cm from the nostrils, and beginning the inhalation through habitual breaths. The protocol stipulates that each inhalation session should last 15 minutes, and the time can be timed on the participant's cell phone. After the inhalation is finished, the inhaler should be kept closed. To facilitate monitoring and ensure adherence to the protocol, participants will receive a weekly schedule to mark completed sessions and will be encouraged to keep an aromatherapy diary to record their perceptions and feelings throughout the study, providing qualitative data that will contribute to the analysis of the practice's effect on the well-being of women undergoing fertility treatment.

Study Details

The experience of infertility can cause significant emotional instability, especially for patients awaiting In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment, generating anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms. This study is a randomized clinical trial assessing the effectiveness of aromatherapy in improving mental health and quality of life in women undergoing infertility treatment. 120 participants will be randomized into three groups (Intervention, Placebo, and Control). The intervention involves the inhalation of true lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia) for four weeks.

Key Dates

First listed
Mar 18, 2026
Start date
Mar 1, 2026
Status verified
Apr 2026
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2026
Completion
Dec 31, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
120 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Lavender essential oil group
    This intervention group will inhale 5 drops of true lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia), administered via personal inhalers (olfactory sticks). The use of personal inhalers is a safe and widely used low-cost intervention that can be applied practically and accessibly, ensuring greater adherence to the protocol by the participants. The inhalation will be performed daily, upon waking in the morning and at night before sleeping, for four weeks.
  • Placebo Comparator: Synthetic lavender aroma group
    The placebo group will inhale 5 drops of a synthetic lavender aroma, also administered via personal inhalers. Inhalation will be performed daily, upon waking in the morning and at night before sleeping, for four weeks.
  • No Intervention: Control Group
    The control group will receive routine care throughout the 4 weeks.

Primary Outcome Measure

Change from Baseline in Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) Scores [ Time Frame: Baseline (Time 0), Week 4 (Time 1, end of Intervention) and Week 8 (Time 2, 4 weeks post-intervention) ]

Central Contacts

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