“Like one part of a puzzle” — individualized aromatherapy for women with gynecological cancers in aftercare: results from a qualitative-focused mixed-methods study

Abstract

Background Gynecological cancer(s), including breast cancer patients in aftercare and survivors, need supportive strategies to cope with symptoms that are adapted to their individual needs and circumstances. Aromatherapy has potential to be such strategy, but (qualitative) empirical research taking users’ own views into consideration about the potential and challenge of aromatherapy is lacking. Purpose The purpose of the study is to gain insights from individualized aromatherapy as a supportive care treatment, regarding their use and evaluation by women with gynecological cancers in aftercare. Methods We conducted a study with a mixed-methods design, focused on qualitative research. Five essential oil products were given to 18 participants to apply individually over a 4-week period. After the intervention, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted. Further, we documented and assessed symptomatic burdens of the women (MYMOP2) before and after intervention quantitatively. Results Aromatherapy was customized by the participants according to their needs. It showed potential for relief of symptomatic burdens — especially nausea, peripheral neuropathy, pain, and sleep. Additionally, opportunities emerged to indirectly affect symptomatic burdens. These developed out of new coping strategies (e.g., sleep routines) or by combining with existing strategies (e.g., meditation). Furthermore, aromatherapy was successfully used to promote well-being and encourage mindfulness. Conclusion Our findings demonstrated the potential of aromatherapy as a supportive treatment modality that can be used as a kind of toolbox. Challenges, such as individual odor aversions and intolerances, and limitations due to medication or illness should be considered in future aromatherapy research.

Efficacy of Essential Oils in Relieving Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…In addition, in the records of Aghamohammadi and collaborators (2018) [ 56 ] and of Arantes et al, 2021 [ 57 ], the intervention contains an extract, not an essential oil. The studies of Czakert [ 58 ] and of Ho [ 59 ] and coworkers are excluded because they perform a qualitative analysis. After title and abstract screening, 22 records are left.…”

Role of Creative Therapies in Gynecological Oncology: Results of a Multigenerational Survey in Patients and Caregivers

“…These therapies can be diverse and include newer therapies such as aromatherapy or equine therapy in addition to the traditional established methods, which can support the healing process of patients. In a 2022 study, Czakert et al showed that aromatherapy, in particular, can promote the well-being and mindfulness of patients [30].…”

On the Scent Trail: Arts-Informed Method Development to Support Perception and Expression of Olfactory Experiences in Aromatherapy of Women With Gynecological Cancers

“…Applying the approach as an integrated approach to the entire research process, not simply for a source of inspiration during data collection, might be promising in terms of a deeper understanding of the content of interest. Further, we cannot exclude that the process, content, and atmosphere of the first part of the interview-concept in the initial study arth4WOMEN (Czakert et al, 2022a) had an influence on the newly developed OLFJ, especially given the nature of interviews as a social action between interviewer and interviewee (Deppermann, 2013). Hence, it remains an open question how the OLFJ may work as a stand-alone data-collection method, which should be taken up in future research.…”

“…This is reflected in the increased research activity and numerous available reviews on AT covering topics such as palliative care needs (Armstrong et al, 2019; Candy et al, 2019), dementia (Ball et al, 2020), or supportive treatment options for people with cancer (Baykal & Comlekci, 2020; Boehm et al, 2012; Chen et al, 2016; Cheng et al, 2022; Li et al, 2022; Toniolo et al, 2021). Subjective perceptions of users regarding essential oil applications, however, seem to be underrepresented in empirical research on AT (Czakert et al, 2022b). The potential benefits and challenges of evoking individual experiences with AT have not yet been considered explicitly in corresponding research to our knowledge.…”

“…Since the ability to even perceive and then explain complex responses to odor is limited, finding a way to support participants put their olfactory experiences into words may be crucial for qualitative data collection. Hence, as an additional objective of the initial study Individualized aromatherapy for women with gynecological cancers in aftercare: a qualitative-focused mixedmethod study (arth4WOMEN) (Czakert et al, 2022a), we decided to develop a data-collection method to explicitly support the participants' perceptions and expressions of their olfactory experiences. The new data-collection method was developed to be embedded as one separate part of the semistructured interview concept of the initial study arth4WOMEN.…”