Aromasticks in XXXX care: an innovation not to be sniffed at.

@entity1 @entity390 @entity5 @entity148 @entity25
AIM: To evaluate the effects of a new aromatherapy intervention introduced within an acute @entity5 care setting in the UK. BACKGROUND: Aromatherapy is a popular complementary therapy within oncology settings and is known to help relieve @entity1 ' @entity148 . A new method of delivering aromatherapy to @entity1 was adopted by a complementary therapy service at a UK hospital; aromasticks are similar in design to the Vicks   Vapour Inhaler  , with the intention of helping @entity1 manage @entity148 , @entity390 and @entity25 . DESIGN: A retrospective service evaluation. METHOD: @entity1 referred to the complementary therapy service were, if appropriate, offered an aromastick. If the offer was accepted @entity1 ' details were captured on an evaluation form. One week later the @entity1 were followed up by a different therapist. Frequency of using the aromastick and perceived benefits were documented. A total of 160 @entity1 were included in this evaluation. RESULTS: 77% (n = 123) of all @entity1 reported deriving at least one benefit from the aromastick. In anxious @entity1 , 65% reported feeling more relaxed and 51% felt less stress. 47% of nauseous @entity1 said that the aromastick had settled their @entity390 and 55% of those experiencing @entity25 felt that aromastick helped them sleep. The results also suggest that the effects of the aromastick may be directly proportional to the frequency of their use. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Evidence demonstrating physiological changes associated with aroma inhalation plus the data presented in this paper highlight the potential for aromasticks within the clinical setting. Although the results of this evaluation of @entity1 perspectives are not controlled, the data does underline the worth of further investigation. Future research is needed to show that aromasticks represent a tool @entity1 can use to self-manage their own symptoms and help them retain an internal locus of control.
