Essential Oils for Electrocautery
Running, not enrolling · Not applicable · Has a placebo group
Conditions studied: Anxiety
In brief
The purpose of this study is to assess whether essential oil aromatherapy could improve or eliminate the smell of burnt flesh from electrocautery and subsequently mitigate patient anxiety and discomfort during dermatologic skin surgery. This is a randomized clinical trial. Approximately 210 electrocautery participants will be randomized to receive sham control/no aromatherapy or aromatherapy. Patients will be asked to complete a questionnaire after completion of the procedure to assess their experience. This study was a pilot study designed to determine the feasibility of this procedure. Subjects currently living in the Chicago metropolitan area and meet inclusion/exclusion criteria will be invited and considered for enrollment.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT04260867
- Run by
- Northwestern University
- People needed
- 111
- Starts
- 2020-12-22
- Expected to finish
- 2027-12-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-07-01
Who can join
Age: 19 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- >18 years of age
- Receiving same day cutaneous surgical procedure that requires electrocautery per protocol
- In good general health as assessed by the investigator
- Participants must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent prior to registration on study
You may not qualify if…
- Surgery site incompatible with the patient holding a handheld aromatherapy device (physician discretion)
- Subject unwilling to sign an IRB approved consent form
- Participants who are unable to communicate or cooperate with the investigator due to language problems, poor mental development, or impaired cerebral function are not eligible
Where it is running
- Northwestern University Department of Dermatology — Chicago, Illinois, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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