The Effect of Geranium Essential Oil Aromatherapy on Fatigue and Sleep Quality in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Summary

Hemodialysis is a life-sustaining therapy for individuals with chronic kidney disease; however, it is often accompanied by adverse effects such as fatigue and poor sleep quality. Fatigue is one of the most frequently reported symptoms among hemodialysis patients and can significantly impair daily functioning, psychosocial wellbeing, and overall quality of life. Sleep disturbances are also common and may further exacerbate physical and emotional stress.

Aromatherapy using essential oils has been explored as a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce fatigue and improve sleep quality. Geranium essential oil contains active compounds such as geraniol, citronellol, and terpineol, which possess relaxing, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. These characteristics indicate its potential to alleviate fatigue and promote better sleep.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of geranium essential oil aromatherapy on fatigue and sleep quality in patients undergoing hemodialysis. The study employs a randomized cross-over design involving 90 participants who meet predetermined inclusion criteria. Fatigue will be assessed using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Scale (FACIT-F), and sleep quality will be measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Assessments will be conducted before and after the intervention period.

The findings of this study are expected to provide scientific evidence supporting the use of geranium essential oil aromatherapy as a safe, accessible complementary therapy that may help reduce fatigue and improve sleep quality among hemodialysis patients.

Conditions

• Aromatherapy (Geranium Essential Oil)
• Chronic Kidney Disease on Hemodialysis
• End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
• Fatigue
• Poor Sleep Quality
• Aromatherapy

Interventions

OTHER

Placebo Aromatherapy (Non-Geranium Neutral Oil)

The placebo aromatherapy uses a non-active neutral oil without geranium's aromatic compounds or therapeutic properties. The placebo oil has a mild scent designed to mimic the inhalation procedure without producing physiological effects. It is administered using the same method, duration, and frequency as the Geranium Essential Oil intervention to ensure blinding and maintain procedural consistency. This placebo serves as a comparison to evaluate the true effect of Geranium Essential Oil on fatigue and sleep quality in hemodialysis patients.

OTHER

Geranium Aromatherapy

Geranium Essential Oil aromatherapy is administered through inhalation to provide relaxation effects aimed at reducing fatigue and improving sleep quality in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Geranium oil contains active components such as citronellol, geraniol, and linalool, which exhibit anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, and calming properties. In this study, the intervention is applied before and/or during hemodialysis sessions using a randomized cross-over design to compare its effects on fatigue and sleep quality.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-01-01

Primary Completion

2025-09-30

Completion

2025-09-30

Countries

• Indonesia

Study Locations