Effectiveness of Aromatherapy in Reducing Anxiety and Pain Perception in Women During Childbirth (NCT06849297) | Clinical Trial Compass
Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable
Effectiveness of Aromatherapy in Reducing Anxiety and Pain Perception in Women During Childbirth
Poland300 participantsStarted 2025-02-17
Plain-language summary
Study Summary
Objective of the StudyThis study aims to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy on women's childbirth experiences, particularly in reducing anxiety, alleviating pain, and increasing overall satisfaction with labor. The research seeks to explore whether aromatherapy can serve as an effective, non-pharmacological method to improve comfort during childbirth.
Research QuestionDoes the use of aromatherapy during labor reduce pain intensity, lower anxiety levels, and enhance maternal satisfaction compared to standard obstetric care?
HypothesisIt is hypothesized that the use of aromatherapy during labor helps to decrease anxiety, lessen labor pain, and improve the overall birth experience without negatively affecting the health of the mother or newborn.
Brief Description of the StudyThis study is a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted at the Stefan Żeromski Specialist Hospital in Kraków. It will include women who are delivering vaginally between 37-42 weeks of gestation. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a group receiving aromatherapy (using essential oils such as lavender, clary sage, and lemon) or a control group receiving standard obstetric care without aromatherapy.
The effectiveness of aromatherapy will be assessed based on pain perception, anxiety levels, labor duration, and newborn condition. The study aims to provide scientific evidence on the benefits of aromatherapy in labor, potentially contributing to its broader adoption in maternity care.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Female participants.
* Minimum age of 18 years.
* Pregnant women between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation.
* Planning a vaginal delivery.
* In overall good health, without pregnancy-related complications.
* Willing to provide informed consent for participation in the study.
* No history of high-risk pregnancy.
* Ability to understand the study procedures and follow instructions.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Severe maternal health conditions that may affect labor outcomes.
* High-risk pregnancy requiring medical interventions.
* Presence of fetal congenital anomalies.
* Decision to receive epidural or other pharmacological pain relief.
* Need for medical intervention during labor (e.g., cesarean section, forceps, vacuum extraction).
* Known allergies or adverse reactions to essential oils.
* Inability to provide informed consent due to cognitive impairment or language barriers.
* Presence of chronic respiratory conditions that may be affected by inhaled essential oils.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Pain intensity during labor measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Timeframe: At cervical dilation of 3 cm, 6 cm, and 9 cm,