Effect of 2-phenylethanol Odor Exposure on Ictal Apneic Episode Occurrence Rate in Patients With Epilepsy
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Summary
This study will investigate the potential benefits of rose scent in reducing the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) in patients with epilepsy. Participants will engage in their routine inpatient observational EEG monitoring for 24 hours followed by an additional 24 hours of observational EEG monitoring with continuous exposure to rose scent, during which an essential oil diffusor with rose scent will be placed in their hospital room. During these 48 total hours of the study, participants will wear a respiratory monitoring belt across their upper chest to measure their breathing. Potential risks include distress or discomfort when smelling the rose scent used in the study, a physical reaction to the rose scent, and discomfort or feelings of restrictiveness when wearing the respiratory monitoring belt. The total time commitment of the study is 48 consecutive hours over the course of the participants' inpatient EMU stay, during which there will be no restrictions on daily activities during the standard inpatient EMU admission except that participants must wear their respiratory belt for a majority of this 2-day period.
Description
\[1.0. Background\] Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) affects 1 in 1000 patients with epilepsy every year.1 SUDEP is thought to occur due to respiratory dysfunction during seizure periods, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. Medical management to treat and prevent SUDEP is thus limited and warrants further investigation. \[2.0. Rationale and Specific Aims\] Our aim is to observe seizure activity and respiratory function via EEG and respiratory monitoring belt, respectively, following 24 hours of exposure to rose scent via essential oil diffusor in adult patients with epilepsy w…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult epilepsy patients over the age of 18 * Admission to the inpatient epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) * Undergoing observational EEG monitoring without treatment involving seizure medication changes or other interventions for at least 48 hours Exclusion Criteria: * Patients under the age of 18 * Patients receiving EEG monitoring without interventions from baseline for less than 48 hours * Patients who are not receiving EEG monitoring as a part of their inpatient admission.
Interventions
- Drug2-phenylethanol rose scent
Name: 2-phenylethanol (rose scent). Dose: 3 drops, diffused into room air over 24 hours. Frequency: Once over 24 hours. Route of administration: Essential oil diffuser. Manufactured by: The Essential Oil Company in Portland, OR. Manufacturing details: The rose scent is purified by hydrodistillation, shelf-stable, and in terms of verification of quality has been previously used in a peer-reviewed and IRB-approved study by Woo et al (2023) published in Frontiers in Neuroscience. Preparation: The Key Personnel listed in the study's IRB will prepare the rose essential oil scent by squeezing 3 drops of the product from the manufactured bottle into the essential oil compartment of the "Aroma Ace™ MINI Diffuser" essential oil diffuser, corresponding with both the rose essential oil and diffuser manufacturers' instructions for each product respectively.
Location
- Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Tennessee