A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Acupuncture Versus Aromatherapy as Treatments to Lessen Nausea, Vomiting and Anxiety Associated With Adriamycin and Cytoxan

Inclusion Criteria

• •i) Inclusion
• •At least 18 years of age on the day of signing informed consent
• •Patient has a diagnosis of breast cancer
• •Patient is planned to start Adriamycin and Cytoxan chemotherapy
• •ii) Exclusion
• •Patients who are unable to adhere to the protocol or treatment schedule
• •Patients who have a concurrent illness or take medication that induces nausea independent of chemotherapy
• •Patients undergoing radiotherapy or hormone therapy during chemotherapy treatments
• •Patients who have a sensitive and/or poor sense of smell
• •Patients who are allergic to essential oils, specifically peppermint, ginger, and/or lavender
• •Patients who are already using essential oils or acupuncture for symptom management and are unwilling to stop while participating in this study
• •Patients who are afraid of or unwilling to receive acupuncture stimulation
• •Patients who are allergic to stainless steel needles
• •Thrombocytopenia (Platelets \< 20,000)
• •Patients who have received aromatherapy and/or acupuncture treatment within 1 week of starting treatment on this study