Soden, K., Vincent, K., Craske, S., Lucas, C., & Ashley, S. (2004). A randomized controlled trial of aromatherapy massage in a hospice setting. Palliative Medicine, 18, 87–92.
To evaluate the effects of massage and aromatherapy on pain scores (primary aim), and to improve sleep, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve overall quality of life (secondary aims), in patients with advanced cancer
The intervention was a course of massage therapy with and without an essential oil (aromatherapy). Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups:
Major hospitals and hospices in the United Kingdom
A randomized controlled trial design was used.
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
There were no statistically significant differences between the groups—aromatherapy or massage—in anxiety reduction (p = 0.95–1.0).