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NCT Number: NCT07599189

Essential Oils for Urinary Symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if essential oil aromatherapy works to improve urinary symptoms in adults with multiple sclerosis. It will also learn about the safety of essential oil use in this population.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does essential oil aromatherapy reduce urinary urgency, frequency, and incontinence episodes in participants with multiple sclerosis? * What medical problems do participants have when using essential oil aromatherapy?

Researchers will compare essential oil aromatherapy to a placebo (a look-alike neutral oil with no therapeutic properties) to see if essential oil aromatherapy works to improve urinary symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients.

Participants will:

* Use essential oil aromatherapy or a placebo oil every day for 6 weeks * Complete a urinary symptom scales to record the frequency, urgency, and any leakage episodes each day * Fill out quality of life questionnaires at the beginning and end of the study

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Key information

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Autoimmune Diseases Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS Demyelinating Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Immune System Diseases Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) Male Urogenital Diseases Multiple Sclerosis Nervous System Diseases Neurogenic Bladder Disorder Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Urinary Bladder Diseases Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic Urinary Incontinence Urinary Incontinence (UI) Urinary Urgency Urination Disorders Urogenital Diseases Urologic Diseases Urological Manifestations

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Aboubakr abdelmadjid, Oran, Oran Province, Algeria

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Confirmed diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (any form)
Documented lower urinary tract symptoms defined by an Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) ≥ 3 at screening
Age between 18 and 65 years
Willing and able to provide written informed consent
Capable of performing daily topical self-application of the study oil, or having a caregiver available to assist throughout the study period

Exclusion criteria

Active urinary tract infection confirmed by urine culture at screening
Pre-existing urological condition unrelated to Multiple Sclerosis (e.g., bladder cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or interstitial cystitis)
Known allergy or hypersensitivity to essential oils, apricot kernel oil, lavender, or rosemary
Active skin lesions, wounds, or dermatological conditions on the lower abdomen at the intended site of application
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study period
Significant cognitive impairment preventing understanding of study procedures or completion of questionnaires
Current use of an indwelling urinary catheter or practice of intermittent self-catheterization

Treatment and study plan

Essential Oil Blend (Lavender, Rosemary)

Other

This intervention consists of a standardized topical blend of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) at 3% and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) at 2%, diluted in apricot kernel oil as a carrier. The blend was formulated to target neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis, based on the antispasmodic properties of Lavender and the neuromodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of Rosemary. The essential oils used are batch-controlled for chemical purity and concentration. The blend is applied topically via gentle circular massage on the lower abdomen, for a total duration of 6 consecutive weeks. This specific combination, route of administration, and target population distinguish this intervention from other aromatherapy studies that have used single oils, inhalation methods, or non-neurological populations.

Neutral Carrier Oil (Apricot Kernel Oil)

Other

This intervention consists of pure Apricot Kernel oil, used as an inert placebo comparator. The placebo oil contains no active essential oils or therapeutic compounds. It is identical to the experimental intervention in terms of appearance, color, viscosity, volume, packaging, and method of application, ensuring effective masking of participants and outcome assessors. The placebo oil is applied topically via gentle circular massage on the lower abdomen, for a total duration of 6 consecutive weeks, mirroring exactly the administration protocol of the experimental arm.

Primary outcomes

Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS)

Time frame: Baseline, and Week 6

Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) (Overactive Bladder Symptom Score) Scale range: minimum 0 - maximum 15. Higher scores indicate a worse outcome (greater severity of overactive bladder symptoms).

[Time Frame: Baseline and Week 6]
Qualiveen questionnaire

Time frame: Baseline and Week 6

Qualiveen - Urinary Disorder-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (Qualiveen, Domain 1: "Bother with Limitations") Scale range: minimum 0 - maximum 4 per item (9 items, total domain score = sum of items ÷ 9).

Higher scores indicate a worse outcome (greater bother related to urinary problems).

[Time Frame: Baseline and Week 6]

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Zitouni-Nourine Saida Hanane

CONTACT

[email protected]

+213556623080

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Oran 1

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Efficacy and Safety of Essential Oil Aromatherapy on Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Single-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Acronym: AROMA-MS

Important dates

Study start: 2026
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2027
First posted: May 20, 2026
Registry last updated: May 20, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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