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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06914167

The Effectiveness of Lavender Aromatherapy Combined With Slow Breathing Exercises in Improving Occupational Burnout and Sleep Disorders Among Nursing Staff

This study investigates the effects of breathing exercises combined with lavender essential oil inhalation on occupational burnout and sleep disturbances in rotating shift nurses.

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Key information

Conditions

Sleep Wake Disorders Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

20 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Tri-Service General Hospital, Songshan Branch

Taipei City, Taipei, 105, Taiwan

About this study

This study will adopt a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design targeting rotating shift nurses with at least six months of clinical experience at a regional teaching hospital in northern Taiwan. Eligible participants who consent to join the study will be randomly assigned into five groups using block randomization. The randomization process will be conducted via sealed envelopes to allocate participants into the following groups: Experimental Group 1, Experimental Group 2, Experimental Group 3, Breathing-Only Group, and Control Group.

Experimental Group 1: Participants will receive slow breathing training (6 breaths per minute) once daily before bedtime, combined with the inhalation of 3 drops of natural lavender essential oil on a towel, for 3 minutes, over a 4-week period.

Experimental Group 2: Same breathing protocol as above, with 3 drops of linalyl acetate-containing essential oil.

Experimental Group 3: Same breathing protocol, with 3 drops of linalool-containing essential oil.

Breathing-Only Group: Participants will perform slow breathing training (6 breaths per minute) for 3 minutes daily before bedtime, without any essential oil inhalation, for 4 weeks.

Control Group: Participants will maintain their usual lifestyle without any intervention.

The outcomes will be evaluated using a nurse burnout scale and a sleep quality scale. Measurements will be taken at three time points: baseline (pre-test), 4 weeks after the intervention (post-test 1), and 8 weeks after the intervention (follow-up/post-test 2).

The study is co-led by Yao-Hsiang Chen, Assistant Head Nurse at Tri-Service General Hospital Songshan Branch, and Professor Chia-Hui Lin, School of Nursing, National Defense Medical Center.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

Aged between 20 and 65 years Registered nurses with at least 6 months of clinical experience and currently working rotating shifts Scores ≥1 in each of the three dimensions (emotional exhaustion, reduced personal accomplishment, depersonalization) on the Nursing Burnout Scale (NBS) Willing to participate in the study and accept random assignment

Exclusion criteria

Nurses with less than 6 months of clinical experience Individuals with anosmia or reduced sense of smell Diagnosed with psychiatric disorders Allergic to lavender essential oil Not currently working rotating shifts

Treatment and study plan

Slow Breathing Exercises

Behavioral

Participants will perform slow breathing (6 breaths/min) for 3 minutes daily before bedtime

Lavender Essential Oil Inhalation

Behavioral

inhalation of 3 drops of lavender essential oil on a towel,

linalyl acetate essential oil Inhalation

Behavioral

inhalation of 3 drops of linalyl acetate essential oil on a towel.

linalool essential oil Inhalation

Behavioral

inhalation of 3 drops of linalool essential oil on a towel.

Primary outcomes

  1. Nursing Burnout Scale, NBS

    Time frame: At baseline, and at 4 and 8 weeks following the start of intervention

    The Nurse Burnout Inventory is specifically developed based on nurses' clinical practice experiences. It includes items that reflect three key dimensions: emotional exhaustion resulting from the high-tension clinical work environment, reduced personal accomplishment associated with feelings of ineffectiveness in medical care, and depersonalization, characterized by indifference toward others due to prolonged burnout.

Secondary outcomes

  1. The Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, CPSQI

    Time frame: At baseline, and at 4 and 8 weeks following the start of intervention

    The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a widely used self-reported questionnaire designed to assess sleep quality over the past month. It evaluates multiple aspects of sleep, including subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medications, and daytime dysfunction. A higher score indicates poorer sleep quality.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH)

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Apr 6, 2025
Registry last updated
Apr 28, 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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