About this trial
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if essential oil aromatherapy works to improve urinary symptoms in adults with multiple sclerosis. It will also learn about the safety of essential oil use in this population.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does essential oil aromatherapy reduce urinary urgency, frequency, and incontinence episodes in participants with multiple sclerosis? * What medical problems do participants have when using essential oil aromatherapy?
Researchers will compare essential oil aromatherapy to a placebo (a look-alike neutral oil with no therapeutic properties) to see if essential oil aromatherapy works to improve urinary symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients.
Participants will:
* Use essential oil aromatherapy or a placebo oil every day for 6 weeks * Complete a urinary symptom scales to record the frequency, urgency, and any leakage episodes each day * Fill out quality of life questionnaires at the beginning and end of the study
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Confirmed diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (any form)
Documented lower urinary tract symptoms defined by an Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) ≥ 3 at screening
Age between 18 and 65 years
Willing and able to provide written informed consent
Disqualifiers
Active urinary tract infection confirmed by urine culture at screening
Pre-existing urological condition unrelated to Multiple Sclerosis (e.g., bladder cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or interstitial cystitis)
Known allergy or hypersensitivity to essential oils, apricot kernel oil, lavender, or rosemary
Active skin lesions, wounds, or dermatological conditions on the lower abdomen at the intended site of application
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Essential Oil Blend (Lavender, Rosemary)
- Neutral Carrier Oil (Apricot Kernel Oil)