Aromatherapy for Mental Health Promotion in IVF Patients

Conditions studied

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

About this study

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.

Interventions

• Other: Lavender essential oil Inhalation — 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.
• Other: Synthetic lavender aroma inhalation — 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.

Primary outcomes

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

Eligibility information

Study locations

• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Federal University of Minas Gerais - Brazil, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 30130-100 Brazil