Effect of Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy on Pain and Blood Pressure in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy frequently experience a range of physical and psychological side effects, including pain, fatigue, nausea, sleep disturbances, and fluctuations in blood pressure. Complementary approaches such as aromatherapy are increasingly explored as supportive interventions due to their accessibility, safety, and low cost. Geranium essential oil contains bioactive components such as geraniol and citronellol, which have been noted for potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and relaxing properties. This study utilizes a randomized controlled trial design to evaluate the effect of geranium inhalation aromatherapy on pain and blood pressure among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at a public hospital in Surakarta, Indonesia. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of Dr. Moewardi General Hospital prior to participant recruitment.

Ninety patients meeting the inclusion criteria (age < 65 years, normal BMI, undergoing chemotherapy regimen 1, and providing informed consent) will be selected using simple random sampling. Participants will be randomly assigned into two equal groups: an intervention group receiving geranium inhalation aromatherapy and a control group receiving standard care without aromatherapy. The intervention consists of applying three drops of geranium essential oil onto cotton, which patients will inhale for 15 minutes during their chemotherapy sessions, conducted twice per month. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will include demographic characteristics, pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and blood pressure recorded using an OMRON digital blood pressure monitor. Data analysis will involve paired t-tests, independent t-tests, and chi-square tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. This study is designed to explore potential physiological mechanisms related to aromatherapy, which may include olfactory system stimulation, relaxation responses, modulation of endogenous hormones, and autonomic regulation. The study also acknowledges possible limitations such as sample size, intervention duration, and the absence of biomarker assessments.

Inclusion:

• Cancer patients undergoing intravenous chemotherapy (regimen 1 / series 1)
• Age less than 65 years
• Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 22.9 kg/m².
• Willing to participate and able to provide informed consent.

Exlusion:

• Patients with conditions affecting the sense of smell (e.g., severe nasal obstruction or anosmia).
• Patients with known allergies to essential oils or plant-based aromatherapy products.
• Patients experiencing acute medical emergencies or unstable hemodynamic conditions during chemotherapy.
• Patients who withdraw consent at any stage of the study.