Chakra aromatherapy for nurses
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN95518107 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN95518107 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | PL-202408015-M |
- Submission date
- 11/09/2025
- Registration date
- 12/09/2025
- Last edited
- 12/09/2025
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study objectives
Nurses often work in high-stress environments, which may lead to poor sleep and mental health problems. This study aims to evaluate whether aromatherapy combined with chakra balancing can reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and support mental well-being in nurses.
Who can participate?
Registered nurses working in hospital settings who volunteer to join and meet the inclusion criteria can participate.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive chakra-based aromatherapy sessions five times per week for 4 weeks. The control group will continue with routine care and will not receive aromatherapy intervention. Questionnaires and physiological measurements will be collected at the start and after 4 weeks.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The possible benefits include reduced stress, improved sleep, and better emotional well-being. The risks are minimal and may include mild skin sensitivity to essential oils or temporary discomfort from questionnaires.
Where is the study taking place?
Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital (Taiwan)
When is the study starting and how long will it last?
April 2024 to December 2024
Who is funding the study?
Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital (Taiwan) (Project No. PL-202408015)
Who is the main contact?
1. Hui-Ting Chung, ting9452@yahoo.com.tw
2. Zhi-Feng Hong, skin@mail.fju.edu.tw
Contact information
Public, Principal investigator
No. 69, Guizi Road
Taishan Dist.
New Taipei City
24352
Taiwan
 ORCID ID |
0009-0004-0942-371X |
|---|---|
| Phone | +886 (0)917625616 |
| ting9452@yahoo.com.tw |
Scientific
510 Zhongzheng Road
Xinzhuang Dist
New Taipei City
242062
Taiwan
| ORCID ID |
0000-0003-3478-5451 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +886 (0)970555820 |
| skin@mail.fju.edu.tw |
Study information
| Study design | Randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | Hospital |
| Study type | Quality of life |
| Scientific title | Chakra-based aromatherapy reduces stress and improves sleep in nurses: a randomized controlled trial |
| Study objectives | Is chakra-based aromatherapy less invasive than non-invasive? Can it reduce stress and improve sleep quality in caregivers? |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 12/07/2024, Institutional Review Board of the Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital (No. 510, Zhongzheng Road, Xinzhuang Dist, New Taipei City, 242062, Taiwan; +886 (0) (02)29056234; IRB@mail.fjuh.fju.edu.tw), ref: FJUH113388 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Quality of life of nursing staff |
| Intervention | After participants signed the consent form, random numbers were drawn based on gender, with odd-numbered participants assigned to the experimental group and even-numbered participants assigned to the control group (41 participants each). The random sequence was generated and maintained by an assistant not involved in recruitment and intervention to ensure that allocation was concealed and minimize bias. 82 nurses were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 41 people in each group. The treatment lasted 30 minutes five times a week for four consecutive weeks. Chakra-based aromatherapy: Participants will receive chakra-based aromatherapy using essential oils applied with inhalation and massage, 30 minutes per session, 5 times per week, for 4 weeks. Routine care: Participants will continue with routine care and will not receive aromatherapy intervention. The control group was given a placebo. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure | Sleep quality measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at baseline and 4 weeks |
| Secondary outcome measures | 1. Psychological status measured by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) at baseline and 4 weeks 2. Stress index measured by Heart Rate Variability (HRV) analysis at baseline and 4 weeks 3. Chakra balance measured by the Chakra Psychological Assessment Test at baseline and 4 weeks 4. Autonomic nervous system activity measured by HRV parameters: Total Power (TP), High Frequency (HF), Low Frequency (LF), Root Mean Square of Successive Differences (RMSSD) at baseline and 4 weeks |
| Overall study start date | 01/04/2024 |
| Completion date | 31/12/2024 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Health professional |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 20 Years |
| Upper age limit | 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target number of participants | 82 (experimental group: 41 ; control group: 41) |
| Total final enrolment | 81 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Registered nurses working in hospital settings 2.Willing to participate and provide written informed consent |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Atopic dermatitis 2. Respiratory disease 3. Pregnancy or lactation |
| Date of first enrolment | 06/08/2024 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/10/2024 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Taiwan
Study participating centre
Taishan Dist.
New Taipei City
24352
Taiwan
Sponsor information
Hospital/treatment centre
No. 69, Guizi Road
New Taipei City
24352
Taiwan
| Phone | +886 (0)2-85128888 |
|---|---|
| D03501@mail.fjuh.fju.edu.tw | |
| Website | https://www.hospital.fju.edu.tw/ |
Funders
Funder type
Hospital/treatment centre
Private sector organisation / Other non-profit organizations
- Alternative name(s)
- 天主教輔仁大學附設醫院, 輔仁大學附設醫院, FJCUH
- Location
- Taiwan
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 01/01/2025 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Planned publication in a peer-reviewed journal |
| IPD sharing plan | Plan to share individual participant data (IPD): The complete IPD will not be made publicly available. However, de-identified data may be shared upon reasonable request from qualified researchers. Time frame: Data will be available from 6 months to 3 years after publication of the main results. Data to be shared: De-identified individual-level questionnaire results (stress, mental health, sleep quality) and physiological indicators (HRV parameters). Additional documents: Study protocol, informed consent form (template), and statistical analysis plan will be available. Access criteria: Researchers interested in accessing the data should submit a formal request to the corresponding author. Data will be shared after review and upon signing a Data Use Agreement (DUA). |
Editorial Notes
12/09/2025: Study's existence confirmed by the Institutional Review Board of the Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital.
