Sniffing away delirium: aromatherapy tested in ICU

This study tested whether aromatherapy (using essential oils) can help prevent delirium—a state of sudden confusion—in patients staying in the intensive care unit (ICU). Researchers enrolled 161 adults who were on a breathing machine and expected to be in the ICU for at least 24 hours. Patients with allergies to essential oils or certain skin injuries were excluded. The goal was to see if this simple, drug-free approach could reduce the number of patients who experience delirium during their ICU stay.