The experience of infertility can cause significant emotional instability, especially for patients awaiting In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment, generating anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms. This study is a randomized clinical trial assessing the effectiveness of aromatherapy in improving mental health and quality of life in women undergoing infertility treatment. 120 participants will be randomized into three groups (Intervention, Placebo, and Control). The intervention involves the inhalation of true lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia) for four weeks.
Female gender, age over 18 years.
Diagnosis of infertility with indication for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
Patients on the waiting list at HC-UFMG.
Agreement not to practice other mind-body or herbal complementary therapies during the study.
Severe neurological, psychiatric, or clinical disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, severe depression) that prevent participation.
Use of medications that could confound the primary outcome (e.g., sleep medications, anxiolytics, antidepressants, neuroleptics) in the 30 days prior to or during the study.
Known allergy to lavender products.
Pregnancy during the study period.
Parallel
Lavender essential oil Inhalation
Other interventionThe inhalation of lavender essential oil will be performed twice a day, preferably upon waking and before nighttime sleep. Participants will be instructed to settle into a quiet environment, lying down or sitting, to consciously perform the inhalation. The procedure consists of opening the inhaler, positioning it approximately 1cm from the nostrils, and beginning the inhalation through habitual breaths.The protocol stipulates that each inhalation session lasts 15 minutes, which can be timed on the participant's own cell phone. After the inhalation is finished, the inhaler should be kept closed. To facilitate monitoring and ensure adherence to the protocol, participants will receive a weekly schedule to record completed sessions and will be encouraged to keep an aromatherapy diary to record their perceptions and feelings throughout the study, providing qualitative data that will contribute to analyzing the effect of the practice on the well-being of women undergoing fertility treatment.
Synthetic lavender aroma inhalation
Other interventionThe inhalation of synthetic lavender essence will be performed twice a day, preferably upon waking and before bedtime. Participants will be instructed to find a quiet environment, lying down or sitting, to consciously perform the inhalation. The procedure consists of opening the inhaler, positioning it approximately 1 cm from the nostrils, and beginning the inhalation through habitual breaths. The protocol stipulates that each inhalation session should last 15 minutes, and the time can be timed on the participant's cell phone. After the inhalation is finished, the inhaler should be kept closed. To facilitate monitoring and ensure adherence to the protocol, participants will receive a weekly schedule to mark completed sessions and will be encouraged to keep an aromatherapy diary to record their perceptions and feelings throughout the study, providing qualitative data that will contribute to the analysis of the practice's effect on the well-being of women undergoing fertility treatment.
Change from Baseline in Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) Scores
he DASS-21 is a set of three self-report scales containing 21 questions to measure emotional states of depression, anxiety, and stress. Each of the three subscales contains 7 items. Scores for each subscale range from 0 to 42 (calculated by summing the scores for the relevant items, which are scored from 0 to 3, and multiplying by 2). Higher scores indicate more severe symptoms of distress.
Change from Baseline in Fertility Quality of Life (FertiQoL) Scores
Assessed using the Fertility Quality of Life (FertiQoL) questionnaire. It evaluates the quality of life in people experiencing fertility problems. Items are scored on a 5-point Likert scale, and raw scores are transformed to a continuous scale ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate a better fertility-related quality of life.
Change from Baseline in Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) Scores
Assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). The ISI is a 7-item self-report questionnaire assessing the nature, severity, and impact of insomnia. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0-4). The total score ranges from 0 to 28. Higher scores indicate more severe insomnia.
Change from Baseline in Flourishing Scale (EFH) Scores
Assessed using the Harvard Human Flourishing Program measure. The instrument consists of 12 items scored on a scale of 0 to 10. The total score (Secure Flourish Index) ranges from 0 to 120. Higher scores indicate a higher level of psychosocial prosperity and flourishing.
Change from Baseline in Duke University Religion Index (DUREL) Scores
Measures religious involvement. It contains three subscales: organizational (1-6), non-organizational (1-6), and intrinsic religiosity (3-15). Higher scores indicate higher religiosity.
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