The Effect of Lavender Essential Oil for Delirium in Elderly Intensive Care Unit Patients: Study Protocol
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
Elderly critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at risk of delirium, which is primarily characterized by acute consciousness impairment and perceptual, cognitive, and memory impairment, resulting in excess death, care expenditures, and acquired dementia, depression and anxiety, which severely affect the prognosis of critically ill patients. However, there are currently no effective pharmacological strategies for preventing delirium. Inhalation aromatherapy has been proven to benefits the sleep disorder, anxiety or depression and lavender oil is one of the most used essential oils. Therefore, we hypothesized that the use of lavender would reduce the incidence rate of delirium in ICU patients.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Critically ill patients aged between 60 and 90 years old * Had an expected total ICU length of stay (LOS) of 72 hours or more * Admitted to the ICU within 48 hours before screening * Signed the informed consent form. Exclusion Criteria: * Incapacitation preventing the assessment of delirium (i.e., coma, sedation, or active seizures) * History of psychiatric disorders, dementia, Parkinson's disease, use of antipsychotic drugs, or alcohol dependence * History of traumatic brain injury or brain infection * Diagnosis of delirium prior to intervention initiation * Allergies to medications used in the protocol or current participation in other drug studies * Inability to communicate in Chinese or English * Expected to be discharged or deceased within 72 hours of admission.