DEVELOPMENT OF AN AROMATHERAPY SERVICE AT A CANCER CENTER

The aromatherapy service at the Cancer Support and Information Centre (CSIC) of this regional Cancer Centre has been continually assessed si nce its inception in 1993. New methods of assessing complementary ther apies, based on the 'therapy-as-practised', have been explored. The pr esent study evaluates the service following changes made after an init ial pilot. The professional aromatherapist developed an evaluation too l, and formal questionnaires were limited to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). HADS was completed before and after a course of six aromatherapy sessions. Of 89 patients referred, 58 patients com pleted the six sessions. Referrals were made by health professionals w orking in the Cancer Centre and in the CSIC. The majority of patients were female with breast cancer and were receiving radical oncological treatment. Tension, stress and anxiety/fear were the most common reaso ns for referral, and this was reflected in high initial HADS scores. T here were significant improvements in HADS scores in the 58 patients c ompleting the course (mean anxiety, depression, and combined scores dr opped from 8.9 to 6.2, 6.1 to 4.0 and 15.0 to 10.2, respectively, P < 0.001). Fifty per cent or more of the sample reported a significant im provement in the eight most commonly assessed symptoms. The therapist was initially cautious about using questionnaires, but she gained conf idence in using HADS as an assessment tool. The areas covered by her o wn evaluation tools were broadly comparable to established instruments such as the EORTC QLQ-C30. We conclude that aromatherapy massage has a role in reducing psychological distress, and improving symptom contr ol in cancer patients. Further service evaluation is needed to promote appropriate referral and effective planning of treatment, and to just ify cost. Given the multifaceted nature of complementary therapies, th e need to develop new research methodologies is acknowledged.