The effect of an aromatherapy intervention on sleep in the ICU

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  What is the effect of an aromatherapy intervention on sleep in the ICU? An exploratory study

• IRAS ID

  166974

• Contact name

  Natalie Pattison

• Contact email

  Natalie.Pattison@rmh.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 11 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  It is known from the literature that patients in the Intensive Care Unit do not get enough sleep impacting on short and long-term recovery (Tembo & Parker, 2009; Bihari et al, 2012; Kamdar et al, 2012). The use of non-pharmacological interventions such as massage with essential oils is supported by the literature as being useful in encouraging sleep (Richards et al, 2003; Matthews, 2011). Over 30% of cancer patients are accessing complementary therapies such as these (Rees et al, 2000; Lewith et al, 2002). We propose investigating whether aromatherapy massage and the use of essential oils in the form of an Inhalation Patch (Bioesse TM) prove to be a useful intervention for improving patient sleep whilst on the critical care unit.

• REC name

  London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  15/LO/1014

• Date of REC Opinion

  19 Aug 2015

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion