Effects of Aroma Oil Inhalation on Nausea·Vomiting and Anorexia in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

향기흡입이 항암 화학요법 환자의 오심·구토와 식욕부진에 미치는 효과

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aroma oil inhalation using peppermint and bergamot on nausea vomiting and anorexia in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Method: Study subjects were 30 patients who had experienced nausea and vomiting when they had been hospitalized in K university hospital located in D city after receiving more than two Cisplatin combination chemotherapy treatments. Among them 15 patients were in the experimental group doing aroma oil inhalation and the other 15 patients were in the control group without aroma oil inhalation. The data were collected from February 1, 2002 to May 17, 2002. The data were analyzed with SPSS WIN 10.0 program using frequency, percentage, $x^2$-test, t-test, Repeated Measures ANOVA. Result: 1) The degree of nausea and vomiting in the experimental group with aroma oil inhalation using peppermint and bergamot were significantly lower than that of the control group. 2) The degree of anorexia in the experimental group with aroma oil inhalation using peppermint and bergamot were significantly lower than that of the control group. Conclusion: aroma oil inhalation was effective for relieving patients' nausea vomiting and anorexia receiving chemotherapy. Therefore, it is proposed that aroma oil inhalation should be applied as a supportive nursing arbitration method to relieve patients' nausea vomiting and anorexia who are receiving chemotherapy.