Surgical AbortionNCT04969900
Effects of Aromatherapy on Patient Satisfaction With Surgical Abortion at Less Than 10 Weeks Gestation
A study testing Lavender oil. in people with Surgical Abortion and Patient Satisfaction, run by University of Colorado, Denver at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The investigators propose a single-site, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of lavender aromatherapy versus placebo for patient satisfaction in adult women having a surgical abortion before 10 weeks and 0 days gestation. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 50 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Surgical Abortion, Patient Satisfaction, Anesthesia
- What is being tested?
- Lavender oil.
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 144 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 13 May 2021to 26 Apr 2022
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 50 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Women18 years or older
- Have decide to have a pregnancy termination with no sedation or oral sedation.
- Are less than10 weeks 0 days gestational age with viable pregnancy.
- Agree to being randomized to aromatherapy or placebo
Who cannot join
- Contraindications or allergies to ibuprofen, lidocaine, or jojoba oil.
- A non-viable intrauterine pregnancy
- A pregnancy greater than or equal to 10 weeks gestational age.
- Adults who are unable to consent or who are currently incarcerated.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Comprehensive Women's Health Center
Denver, Colorado, 80230
About this study
The investigators propose a single-site, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of lavender aromatherapy versus placebo for patient satisfaction in adult women having a surgical abortion before 10 weeks and 0 days gestation. The investigators will evaluate whether lavender aromatherapy is an effective adjunct therapy for patient satisfaction during first trimester surgical abortion. The investigators will measure satisfaction using the Iowa Satisfaction with Anesthesia Scale (ISAS). The investigators hypothesize that women receiving lavender aromatherapy will report higher satisfaction scores compared to women receiving placebo.
Prior studies have investigated the use of aromatherapy in laboring patients, in menstruating women, and in general post-operative populations. No investigations have focused on the use of lavender aromatherapy as an adjunct therapy to paracervical block and/or oral narcotics and anxiolytics in outpatient surgical abortion. Our study is novel in investigating patient satisfaction with first trimester surgical abortion using lavender aromatherapy.
The contribution of this proposed research to the literature is significant because current affordable anesthetic adjuncts to opioids and benzodiazepines are limited.
Read the detailed description
The investigators propose a single-site, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of lavender aromatherapy versus placebo for patient satisfaction in adult women having a surgical abortion before 10 weeks and 0 days gestation. The investigators will evaluate whether lavender aromatherapy is an effective adjunct therapy for patient satisfaction during first trimester surgical abortion. The investigators will measure satisfaction using the Iowa Satisfaction with Anesthesia Scale (ISAS). The investigators hypothesize that women receiving lavender aromatherapy will report higher satisfaction scores compared to women receiving placebo.
Prior studies have investigated the use of aromatherapy in laboring patients, in menstruating women, and in general post-operative populations. No investigations have focused on the use of lavender aromatherapy as an adjunct therapy to paracervical block and/or oral narcotics and anxiolytics in outpatient surgical abortion. This study is novel in investigating patient satisfaction with first trimester surgical abortion using lavender aromatherapy.
The contribution of this proposed research to the literature is significant because current affordable anesthetic adjuncts to opioids and benzodiazepines are limited.
- Conditions
- Surgical Abortion, Patient Satisfaction, Anesthesia, Pain
- Being tested
- Placebo oil, Lavender oil.
- Medical subject headings
- Patient Satisfaction, Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Placebo oilOther
The placebo group will receive placebo oil.
Lavender oil.Other
Investigational Product. This group will receive Lavender oil.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo - Jojoba Oil (100% organic golden expeller-pressed Simmondsia chinensis) | Placebo comparator | Study randomization to lavender aromatherapy or placebo will occur just prior to the initiation of the abortion procedure. A permutated block stratified randomization scheme will be utilized so that equal numbers of participants receiving no sedation and PO sedation will be randomized to lavender aromatherapy or placebo. 1cc of dilute lavender aromatherapy and placebo will be pre-filled in a 5/8 dram mini amber glass bottle provided to the patient. Immediately prior to procedure start (defined as after receiving antibiotic and emptying bladder), participants will be instructed to self-administer the study product. They will bring down their personal cloth mask to chin level and rub the study product within the amber glass bottle on their upper lip and nose (left and right ala, alarfacial grooves, and columella). Participants will be instructed to take 4 deep breaths and then replace their mask over their nose. The patient will then proceed to the procedure. Receives: Other: Placebo oil |
| Investigational Product - A 10% dilute Lavandula angustifolia - jojoba oil essential oil blend | Active comparator | Study randomization to lavender aromatherapy or placebo will occur just prior to the initiation of the abortion procedure. A permutated block stratified randomization scheme will be utilized so that equal numbers of participants receiving no sedation and PO sedation will be randomized to lavender aromatherapy or placebo. 1cc of dilute lavender aromatherapy and placebo will be pre-filled in a 5/8 dram mini amber glass bottle provided to the patient. Immediately prior to procedure start (defined as after receiving antibiotic and emptying bladder), participants will be instructed to self-administer the study product. They will bring down their personal cloth mask to chin level and rub the study product within the amber glass bottle on their upper lip and nose (left and right ala, alarfacial grooves, and columella). Participants will be instructed to take 4 deep breaths and then replace their mask over their nose. The patient will then proceed to the procedure. Receives: Other: Lavender oil. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Patient Satisfaction With Anesthesia
Difference in patient satisfaction with their abortion experience as measured on the Iowa Satisfaction with Anesthesia Scale (ISAS) following a surgical abortion less than 10 weeks 0 days gestational age between women randomized to lavender aromatherapy versus placebo.
The self-reported questionnaire consists of 11 items such as "I hurt," "I felt safe," "I had nausea," each assessed on a Likert-type scale ranging from "Disagree very much" to "Agree very much." The responses are then scored from -3 (least satisfied) to +3 (most satisfied) and an average composite score is obtained.
Measured: 15 minutes post-procedure
Secondary outcomes (3)
Maximum Procedural Pain
Difference in maximum procedural pain as measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) in patients receiving lavender aromatherapy versus placebo. The VAS is presented as a 100-millimeter line with descriptive anchors at each end, "no pain" on the left at 0 centimeters and "pain as bad as it could be" at 100-millimeters. Respondents place a vertical line through the point on the scale that best fits their experience with their procedural pain and that mark is measured as a continuous variable for pain from 0 to 10 (no pain to pain as bad as it could be).
Measured: Immediately post-procedure
Acceptability
Patient acceptability of lavender aromatherapy as a complementary and alternative medicine used during first trimester surgical abortion as measured through a post-procedure survey.
Measured: 11 months
Patient Acceptability of Lavender Aromatherapy in Procedural Abortion
We asked: Agreed inhaling scented was helpful during procedure, Would recommend inhaling scented oil to a friend who needed a procedural abortion, If needed another procedural abortion, would want to inhale scented oil during procedure. Participants' acceptability was measured on a 5-point Likert scale (strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree or disagree, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree). With strongly agree being a better outcome. Participants who agree with outcome include those who somewhat agree and strongly agree.
Measured: 15 minutes post-procedure
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Jul 2021
- Study start13 May 2021
- Primary completion26 Apr 2022
- Study completion26 Apr 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Surgical AbortionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of Colorado, DenverThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- A single-site, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of lavender aromatherapy versus inert oil placebo for patient satisfaction in adult women having a first trimester outpatient surgical abortion before 10 weeks and 0 days gestation.
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 144 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Colorado, Denver
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Leanne Free, MD, Principal investigator, University of Colorado, Denver
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04969900
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 21-2561
- Status last verified
- Jul 2025
- First submitted
- 25 Jun 2021
- Last updated
- 3 Aug 2025
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Free LL, Sheeder J, Cohen RH. Effects of aromatherapy on patient satisfaction with procedural abortion at less than 10 weeks' gestation: A randomized controlled trial. Contraception. 2024 Feb;130:110311. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2023.110311. Epub 2023 Oct 17.
PubMed 37858617
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Aug 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Aromatherapy on Patient Satisfaction With Surgical Abortion at Less Than 10 Weeks Gestation
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04969900
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 21-2561
- Conditions
- Surgical Abortion, Patient Satisfaction, Anesthesia, Pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 144 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Colorado, DenverUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 13 May 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 26 Apr 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 26 Apr 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 21 Jul 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 3 Aug 2025
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The investigators propose a single-site, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of lavender aromatherapy versus placebo for patient satisfaction in adult women having a surgical abortion before 10 weeks and 0 days gestation. The investigators will evaluate whether lavender aromatherapy is an effective adjunct therapy for patient satisfaction during first trimester surgical abortion. The investigators will measure satisfaction using the Iowa Satisfaction with Anesthesia Scale (ISAS). The investigators hypothesize that women receiving lavender aromatherapy will report higher satisfaction scores compared to women receiving placebo.
Prior studies have investigated the use of aromatherapy in laboring patients, in menstruating women, and in general post-operative populations. No investigations have focused on the use of lavender aromatherapy as an adjunct therapy to paracervical block and/or oral narcotics and anxiolytics in outpatient surgical abortion. Our study is novel in investigating patient satisfaction with first trimester surgical abortion using lavender aromatherapy.
The contribution of this proposed research to the literature is significant because current affordable anesthetic adjuncts to opioids and benzodiazepines are limited.
Detailed description
The investigators propose a single-site, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of lavender aromatherapy versus placebo for patient satisfaction in adult women having a surgical abortion before 10 weeks and 0 days gestation. The investigators will evaluate whether lavender aromatherapy is an effective adjunct therapy for patient satisfaction during first trimester surgical abortion. The investigators will measure satisfaction using the Iowa Satisfaction with Anesthesia Scale (ISAS). The investigators hypothesize that women receiving lavender aromatherapy will report higher satisfaction scores compared to women receiving placebo.
Prior studies have investigated the use of aromatherapy in laboring patients, in menstruating women, and in general post-operative populations. No investigations have focused on the use of lavender aromatherapy as an adjunct therapy to paracervical block and/or oral narcotics and anxiolytics in outpatient surgical abortion. This study is novel in investigating patient satisfaction with first trimester surgical abortion using lavender aromatherapy.
The contribution of this proposed research to the literature is significant because current affordable anesthetic adjuncts to opioids and benzodiazepines are limited.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, care provider, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- A single-site, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of lavender aromatherapy versus inert oil placebo for patient satisfaction in adult women having a first trimester outpatient surgical abortion before 10 weeks and 0 days gestation.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo - Jojoba Oil (100% organic golden expeller-pressed Simmondsia chinensis) | Placebo comparator | Other: Placebo oilStudy randomization to lavender aromatherapy or placebo will occur just prior to the initiation of the abortion procedure. A permutated block stratified randomization scheme will be utilized so that equal numbers of participants receiving no sedation and PO sedation will be randomized to lavender aromatherapy or placebo. 1cc of dilute lavender aromatherapy and placebo will be pre-filled in a 5/8 dram mini amber glass bottle provided to the patient. Immediately prior to procedure start (defined as after receiving antibiotic and emptying bladder), participants will be instructed to self-administer the study product. They will bring down their personal cloth mask to chin level and rub the study product within the amber glass bottle on their upper lip and nose (left and right ala, alarfacial grooves, and columella). Participants will be instructed to take 4 deep breaths and then replace their mask over their nose. The patient will then proceed to the procedure. |
| Investigational Product - A 10% dilute Lavandula angustifolia - jojoba oil essential oil blend | Active comparator | Other: Lavender oil.Study randomization to lavender aromatherapy or placebo will occur just prior to the initiation of the abortion procedure. A permutated block stratified randomization scheme will be utilized so that equal numbers of participants receiving no sedation and PO sedation will be randomized to lavender aromatherapy or placebo. 1cc of dilute lavender aromatherapy and placebo will be pre-filled in a 5/8 dram mini amber glass bottle provided to the patient. Immediately prior to procedure start (defined as after receiving antibiotic and emptying bladder), participants will be instructed to self-administer the study product. They will bring down their personal cloth mask to chin level and rub the study product within the amber glass bottle on their upper lip and nose (left and right ala, alarfacial grooves, and columella). Participants will be instructed to take 4 deep breaths and then replace their mask over their nose. The patient will then proceed to the procedure. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 50 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Women18 years or older
- Have decide to have a pregnancy termination with no sedation or oral sedation.
- Are less than10 weeks 0 days gestational age with viable pregnancy.
- Agree to being randomized to aromatherapy or placebo
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Contraindications or allergies to ibuprofen, lidocaine, or jojoba oil.
- A non-viable intrauterine pregnancy
- A pregnancy greater than or equal to 10 weeks gestational age.
- Adults who are unable to consent or who are currently incarcerated.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo oilThe placebo group will receive placebo oil. | Other | Placebo - Jojoba Oil (100% organic golden expeller-pressed Simmondsia chinensis) |
| Lavender oil.Investigational Product. This group will receive Lavender oil. | Other | Investigational Product - A 10% dilute Lavandula angustifolia - jojoba oil essential oil blend |
Primary outcome
Patient Satisfaction With Anesthesia
Time frame: 15 minutes post-procedure
Difference in patient satisfaction with their abortion experience as measured on the Iowa Satisfaction with Anesthesia Scale (ISAS) following a surgical abortion less than 10 weeks 0 days gestational age between women randomized to lavender aromatherapy versus placebo. The self-reported questionnaire consists of 11 items such as "I hurt," "I felt safe," "I had nausea," each assessed on a Likert-type scale ranging from "Disagree very much" to "Agree very much." The responses are then scored from -3 (least satisfied) to +3 (most satisfied) and an average composite score is obtained.
3 secondary outcomes
Maximum Procedural Pain
Time frame: Immediately post-procedure
Acceptability
Time frame: 11 months
Patient Acceptability of Lavender Aromatherapy in Procedural Abortion
Time frame: 15 minutes post-procedure
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Aug 2025.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 37858617Free LL, Sheeder J, Cohen RH. Effects of aromatherapy on patient satisfaction with procedural abortion at less than 10 weeks' gestation: A randomized controlled trial. Contraception. 2024 Feb;130:110311. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2023.110311. Epub 2023 Oct 17.
- Guttmacher Institute. "Induced Abortion in the United States," May 3, 2016.Link provided by the sponsor.
- First-Trimester Surgical Abortion Practices: A Survey of National Abortion Federation MembersLink provided by the sponsor.
- Micks, Elizabeth A., Alison B. Edelman, Regina Maria Renner, Rongwei Fu, William E. Lambert, Paula H. Bednarek, Mark D. Nichols, Ethan H. Beckley, and Jeffrey T. Jensen. "Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen for Pain Control in First-Trimester Surgical Abortion:Link provided by the sponsor.
- Ndubisi, Chioma, Antoinette Danvers, Melanie A. Gold, Lisa Morrow, and Carolyn L. Westhoff. "Auricular Acupuncture as an Adjunct for Pain Management during First Trimester Abortion: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Three Arm Trial." Contraception 99, no.Link provided by the sponsor.
- schann, Mary, Jennifer Salcedo, Reni Soon, and Bliss Kaneshiro. "Patient Choice of Adjunctive Nonpharmacologic Pain Management during First-Trimester Abortion: A Randomized Controlled Trial." Contraception 98, no. 3 (September 1, 2018): 205-9.Link provided by the sponsor.
- enner, Sallie Stoltz. "Lavandula Angustifolia Miller: English Lavender." Holistic Nursing Practice 23, no. 1 (January 2009): 57-64.Link provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Leanne Free, MD principal investigator
University of Colorado, Denver
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Lavender oil. in people with Surgical Abortion and Patient Satisfaction, run by University of Colorado, Denver at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Aug 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 3 Aug 2025). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Patient Satisfaction With Anesthesia (time frame: 15 minutes post-procedure). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04969900, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Aug 2025.