%0 Journal Article
%T Rose geranium in sesame oil nasal spray to improve nasal vestibulitis symptoms: a randomized controlled trial.
%A Cathcart-Rake EJ
%A Steinert K
%A Smith D
%A Lewis-Peters S
%A Giridhar K
%A Novotny P
%A Dauer D
%A O'Connor A
%A Thomé S
%A Erickson MK
%A Friday BB
%A Loprinzi CL
%J Support Care Cancer
%V 32
%N 6
%D 2024 May 24
%M 38789656
%F 3.359
%R 10.1007/s00520-024-08580-6
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>The purpose of this phase III randomized double-blinded controlled trial was to investigate the efficacy of a rose geranium in sesame oil (RG) nasal spray compared with an isotonic saline (IS) nasal spray for alleviating nasal vestibulitis symptoms among patients undergoing chemotherapy.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Patients undergoing active chemotherapy who reported associated nasal symptoms were randomized 1:1 to receive RG or IS, administered twice daily for 2 weeks. Consenting participants completed nasal symptom questionnaires at baseline and then weekly while on treatment. The proportion of patients experiencing improvements in their nasal symptoms 2 weeks after initiating the nasal spray, using a six-point global impression of change score, was estimated within and between each randomized arm, and compared between arms, using Fisher's exact test. The estimated odds ratio was determined (95% confidence interval).<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>One hundred and six patients consented to this study; 43 participants in the RG arm and 41 in the IS arm were evaluable for the primary endpoint. Participants had a mean age of 57.8 years (SD 13.9). Demographic characteristics and baseline nasal symptoms were similar between arms. Of the evaluable participants who received RG, 67.4% reported improved nasal symptoms, compared with 36.6% of the participants who received IS (P = 0.009). Adverse events were sparse and did not differ between arms.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Rose geranium in sesame oil significantly improves nasal vestibulitis symptoms among patients undergoing chemotherapy.<BR><B>BACKGROUND: </B>NCT04620369.