Sniffing essential oils during surgery may ease anxiety and mask burnt flesh smell

NCT ID NCT04260867

Ongoing Symptom relief Sponsor: Northwestern University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 01, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether smelling essential oils during skin surgery can reduce the unpleasant smell of burnt flesh from electrocautery and lower patient anxiety. About 111 adults having same-day skin procedures will be randomly assigned to receive either a real essential oil inhaler or an empty one. After surgery, they will fill out questionnaires about their experience and anxiety levels.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: essential oil aromatherapy
What this could lead to: If it works, aromatherapy could become a simple, drug-free way to make skin surgery less stressful and more pleasant.
What could go wrong: This is a small pilot study, so results may not be definitive. The effect could be due to the placebo effect, and not everyone may find the scents helpful.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety anxiety disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ANXIETY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Northwestern University Department of Dermatology

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States

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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.