Outpatient Oncology Aromatherapy for Symptom Management

The purpose of this research study is to determine whether using aromatherapy during chemotherapy infusion treatments in the outpatient Oncology setting promote relief of nausea and anxiety. The objectives of this study are: 1. To promote relief of nausea using peppermint aromatherapy oil in an outpatient oncology setting. 2. To promote relief of anxiety using lavender aromatherapy oil in an outpatient oncology setting.

Subject Selection: Every outpatient oncology patient experiencing nausea and/or anxiety during an infusion visit will be offered hospital-approved aromatherapy of Peppermint oil or Lavender oil. If patient says yes, then they will be selected for the study and infusion nurse will notify the study co-investigators or principal investigator. Informed consent will then be obtained by co-investigators or principal investigator of the study. The consents as well as the data collection tool sheets will be numbered without identifying patient's personal information. Peppermint oil aromatherapy and/or lavender oil aromatherapy will then be administered to consented patients. Method of Subject Identification and Recruitment: Every outpatient oncology patient experiencing nausea and/or anxiety during an infusion visit will be offered hospital- approved aromatherapy of Peppermint oil or Lavender oil. If patient says yes, then they will be selected for the study and infusion nurse will notify the study co-investigators or principal investigator. Informed consent will then be obtained by co-investigators or principal investigator of the study. The consents as well as the data collection tool sheets will be numbered without identifying patient's personal information. Peppermint oil aromatherapy and/or lavender oil aromatherapy will then be administered to consented patients.

Young Living Essential oil of Peppermint and Lavender will be used to patients who meet the inclusion criteria.

For qualified patients one to two drops of hospital approved essential oil will be placed on a 4X4 gauze and will be offered to the patient during their infusion visit. This gauze will be placed in a sealable clear plastic bag and the patient will be instructed to use one sniff at a time.

Inclusion Criteria: All outpatient Oncology patients > 18 years of age Non pregnant Not cognitively impaired English speaking only Patients who report nausea and/or anxiety Exclusion Criteria: All outpatient oncology patients <18 years of age Pregnant Cognitively impaired Non-English Speaking Patients who do not report nausea and/or anxiety Patients with a known allergy to peppermint and/or lavender aromatherapy oil