Geranium Inhalation Aromatherapy for Reducing Nausea and Vomiting in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remain among the most distressing side effects experienced by cancer patients and can significantly affect treatment tolerance and quality of life. Geranium essential oil has been proposed as a complementary, non-pharmacological therapy that may help reduce nausea and vomiting through its calming and antiemetic properties. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the potential effectiveness of geranium inhalation aromatherapy in reducing nausea and vomiting among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Ninety participants undergoing intravenous chemotherapy will be enrolled and randomly assigned to either the geranium aromatherapy group or the control group. The intervention group will receive inhalation of geranium essential oil, while the control group will receive no aromatherapy.Nausea and vomiting will be measured using the validated Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching (INVR) before chemotherapy and 12 hours afterward. This study is designed to explore whether geranium inhalation aromatherapy may serve as a supportive complementary therapy to enhance comfort and overall quality of life for patients undergoing chemotherapy.