Could a scent of lavender and orange calm nerves before surgery?

NCT ID NCT07771205

NEW Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Kaiser Permanente Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Aug 18, 2026 · Last updated Aug 18, 2026

Summary

This trial tests whether breathing in a blend of lavender and sweet orange essential oils can reduce anxiety before surgery and pain after it, compared with an unscented pod. About 286 adults undergoing surgery under general anesthesia will be randomly assigned to receive either the aromatherapy or a placebo. Researchers will measure anxiety and pain at several points around the procedure and ask about the overall experience two weeks later.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Aromatherapy with a blend of lavender and sweet orange essential oils delivered via an aromatherapy pod
What this could lead to: If effective, aromatherapy could become a simple, drug-free way to reduce anxiety and pain around surgery, potentially lessening the need for opioids.
What could go wrong: This is a relatively small trial, and the effect may be modest or partly due to a placebo response. People with allergies to the oils or certain conditions are excluded, and results may not apply to all surgical patients.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety disorder Pain Pain, Postoperative

As listed by the trial registrant

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

PATIENT EXPERIENCE POSTOPERATIVE PAIN PREOPERATIVE ANXIETY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Kaiser Permanente Stockton Ambulatory Surgery Unit
RECRUITING

Stockton, California, 95210, United States

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