Authors (including presenting author) :
Wong CS (1)(2), Chiu KY (1)(2), Yu MS (1)(2), Ma MS (1)(2), Cheung LY (1)(2), Wong LM (1)(2), Chau YK (1)(2), Lo SK (1)(2)(3), Kwan WM (1)(2)(3), Cheung SY (2)
(1) Palliative Care Unit, (2) Shatin Hospital, (3) Bradbury Hospice
Affiliation :
(1) Palliative Care Unit, (2) Shatin Hospital, (3) Bradbury Hospice
Introduction :
Aromatherapy is widely used in clinical settings over the world. In the context of palliative care, aromatherapy imposes positive effects on patients’ psychological and physical symptoms. Our Palliative Care Unit applied aromatherapy as an evidence-based CQI project to explore how applicable if it is in these patients.
Objectives :
(1)Alleviate patients’ symptoms including pain, dyspnea, insomnia, and anxiety; (2) Promote patients’ overall comfort.
Methodology :
This was an interventional CQI Project which adopted dry evaporation of aroma essential oil as an adjuvant intervention for patients with symptoms at terminal stage. The subjects were recruited voluntarily from 2 palliative care wards (male and female) predominantly with advanced cancer patients. The mixed-method design approach was employed to look into both quantitative and qualitative impacts of aromatherapy. The quantitative aspect referred to the pre-post-test comparison measuring the change in symptoms from day 0, day 3 and day 7 using numeric rating scales. On day 7, a qualitative satisfaction questionnaire was conducted to patients, relatives and primary nurses to elicit their perceptions using aromatherapy.
Result & Outcome :
From September to December 2021, 52 patients were recruited and 61% were male. After 7-day use of aromatherapy, the mean pain score dropped from 4.09 to 2.94 (SD 1.192, p 0.000, paired t-test); the mean dyspnea score reduced from 3.06 to 2.00 (SD 1.211, p 0.002, paired t-test); the mean Support Team Assessment Schedule (STAS) measuring insomnia decreased from 1.90 to 0.90 (SD 0.964, p<0.00, paired t-test); anxiety reduced from 2.09 to 1.00 (SD 0.831, p 0.001, paired t-test). These 4 major symptoms demonstrated significant improvement statistically. In the satisfaction assessment, there were positive feedbacks saying that aromatherapy could probably promote comfort, facilitate good sleep, sooth anxiety and enhance relaxation. Nevertheless, it is necessary to be aware that these patients were already under the care of specialist palliative team, and the standard treatment and drugs, would also contribute towards controlling patient’s symptoms.
Conclusions:
Aromatherapy as an adjuvant intervention is likely to improve physical and psychological symptoms in palliative patients. It is an economical and easily applicable way to promote comfort in busy clinical situations.
