Abstract
Background
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a painful, debilitating consequence
of cancer treatment affecting up to 60% of patients. Pharmacological approaches to
CIPN are often ineffective and cause adverse effects. Essential oils are an underutilized
non-pharmacological approach to pain reduction.
Aims
To ascertain the efficacy of an essential oil intervention to reduce CIPN.
Design
A single-blind, pilot randomized controlled trial.
Methods
Participants (n = 27) were stratified by baseline pain scores and randomized to intervention
(n = 13) and placebo groups (n = 14). Participants topically-applied the essential
oil intervention or placebo every eight hours for six weeks. Pain was assessed using
the Short-Form-McGill Pain Questionnaire-2 weekly and the Visual Analogue Scale daily.
Quality-of-life was assessed using the Quality-of-Life: CIPN-20 and Quality-of-Life
Adult Cancer Survivor questionnaires. Data were analyzed in SPSS using generalized
estimating equations.
Results
No significant difference was observed between groups in pain or quality-of-life scores
over seven weeks, but improvement was observed in both groups. Participants using
the intervention with pain medications showed a significant reduction in pain compared
to placebo (p = .001). Educational level (p = .041) and annual income (p = .005) were significant covariates mirroring these social determinates of pain.
Older participants felt less negatively about their CIPN (p = .002). Positive placebo effect and spatiotemporal interactions were observed.
Conclusions
This pilot study demonstrated that participants adhered to the intervention for six
weeks. Essential oils have potential direct and adjuvant pain-reducing effects and
should be studied further.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 22, 2023
Accepted:
December 23,
2022
Received in revised form:
December 7,
2022
Received:
September 30,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 American Society for Pain Management Nursing. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
