Author ORCID Identifier
Semester
Spring
Date of Graduation
2023
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Type
PhD
College
School of Nursing
Committee Chair
Roger Carpenter
Committee Member
Mary Jane Smith
Committee Member
Kesheng Wang
Committee Member
Amanda Newhouse
Abstract
Background:Those in treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) face significant challenges and express the need for enhanced support for comfort to be successful. There is growing interest in integrative modalities such as aromatherapy using essential oils to support health.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was two-fold. First, to see if there was an increase in comfort and ease, and a decrease in stress in those who used an aroma inhaler with Citrus bergamia (Bergamot) essential oil. Second, to determine the feasibility of the intervention.
Method: This study was founded upon an integrated theoretical framework combining the theory of comfort (Kolcaba, 2003) and the concept of welcoming ease (Reven, 2022a). This study used two aims to answer the research question. Aim 1 was designed to see if using an aroma inhaler (Aethereo®Stick) with bergamot essential oil for three inhalations, three times a day for seven days compared to those who did not use the aroma inhaler could increase scores for comfort and ease and decrease scores for stress in those in the intervention group. Aim 2 was designed to evaluate feasibility and acceptability. An experimental pretest posttest design with random assignment and an intention to treat design was used. The CONSORT guideline and the TREATS checklist were used to promote clear and complete reporting. Three valid and reliable instruments were used including the generalized comfort questionnaire (GCQ), the ease measure, and the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21). Recruitment and enrollment took place between August 2022 and January 2023.
Results: The relationships and findings were coherent with concepts of the integrated theoretical framework. A sample size of 57 participants including 25 in the intervention group and 32 in the control group was obtained. There were no statistically significant changes shown in the intervention group. However, post test scores compared to baseline showed mean scores increased for comfort and ease and decreased for stress in the intervention group. In the control group, both ease and stress showed statistically significant worsening (p = < .001; p = .047) respectively. Ease increased after the intervention in both statistical significance (p = .044) and in effect size eta squared = .093. Recruitment, enrollment, and retention rates were good with 57 volunteers in five months. Fidelity was shown with one hundred percent of participants completing the study correctly as shown by data from the logbooks. The intervention was cost effective and relatively easy to do.
Conclusions: Those in treatment for SUD face substantial challenges in everyday life and are looking for ways to help manage stress and succeed. This study showed that the use of an aroma inhaler with bergamot essential oil three times daily for one week improved scores for comfort and ease and decreased scores for perception of stress. These findings are encouraging and warrant further investigation.
Recommended Citation
Reven, Marian E., "Using Aromatherapy for Comfort, Ease, and Stress for Adults Being Treated for Substance Use Disorder in North Central Appalachia: A Randomized Controlled Trial" (2023). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 11984.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/11984