CODE Meee conducted a questionnaire survey on the aroma space design in the waiting room of the radiation treatment room at Edogawa Hospital, and 96% of patients felt "relaxed."

May 9, 2023/Corporate

CODE Meee Inc. a company that provides optimal fragrances for individuals and companies based on data, conducted a questionnaire survey on the aroma space design in the waiting room of the radiation treatment room at Edogawa Hospital, with the cooperation of Edogawa Hospital. As a result of the survey, 95% of patients had a positive impression of the "fragrance," and 96% felt "relaxed."

【Background of the Research】

CODE Meee has been continuously conducting joint research with Edogawa Hospital since 2020, aiming for further environmental improvement in medical facilities, with the goal of creating a more "comfortable" and "reassuring" atmosphere for patients, medical staff, and their families. This time, we conducted an aroma space design using fragrances blended by CODE Meee in the waiting room of the radiation treatment room, to verify the effect of fragrance on reducing patients' anxiety, fear, and stress. The characteristics of patients using the radiation treatment room are that outpatients come to the hospital every day for 2-3 weeks, and there are those who suffer from side effects of treatment, those who are undergoing treatment while working, doing housework, and living their daily lives, those who are determined to undergo treatment, and those who are anxious about the future. In addition, as a feature of the treatment room, the room temperature is kept low because of the maintenance of the machine, and patients are treated alone on a hard bed without being able to move. Some patients with claustrophobia due to the machine suffer from increased waist and back pain, and some patients with claustrophobia due to the machine are given anti-anxiety medication. These have been pointed out as possible causes of anxiety, fear, and stress during radiation treatment. We conducted a verification to see if the aroma space design in the waiting room of the radiation treatment room could reduce patients' anxiety, fear, and stress and lead to "relaxation." ※1 2020 March 12 Press Release: Maximizing "Condition" with Fragrances - Start of clinical research at Edogawa Hospital, aiming for environmental improvement in medical and nursing care facilities https://www.codemeee.com/news/2020-02-12-edogawahospital

Waiting room of the radiation treatment room at Edogawa Hospital

【Overview of the Research】

Purpose: To verify whether the anxiety of patients undergoing radiation treatment can be reduced by the aroma space design in the waiting room of the radiation treatment room Subjects: "Patients" undergoing radiation treatment and their "families" (n=213) Location: Edogawa Hospital, Waiting Room of the Radiation Treatment Room Research Period: November 29, 2022 - February 28, 2023 (Fragrance period in the waiting room of the radiation treatment room) Content: Conducted an aroma space design using fragrances blended by CODE Meee in the waiting room of the radiation treatment room, and collected results by conducting a questionnaire survey for patients and their families during the period. Collected data: Patient and family questionnaire response records Fragrance used: Natural 100% blended fragrance "Herb Garden" created by CODE Meee, utilizing the findings of emotional understanding through brainwaves. Equipment used: Commercial aroma diffuser (electric type)

【Research (Questionnaire) Results】

Q. How did you feel about the "fragrance" in the waiting room? (n=213)

95% had positive responses to the "fragrance"

96% felt "relaxed"

Positive changes related to "relaxation," "relief of anxiety," "relief of stress," and "positive feelings" were felt

【Comments from Patients and Their Families】 (These are individual opinions)

It's a very nice fragrance that makes me feel relaxed. (70s, Female, Patient)
I hope it will continue in the future. (60s, Female, Patient)
It's a good feeling that I don't feel stiff in other hospitals, and I'm grateful! (70s, Female, Patient's Family)
The scent of herbs is very pleasant and I think it's very nice. (40s, Female, Patient)
It's a nice fragrance, and I felt relaxed in a hospital that didn't feel like a hospital. (50s, Female, Patient)
It was a nice fragrance, and I felt uplifted. (50s, Female, Patient)
It was a nice fragrance that made me feel uplifted. (50s, Female, Patient's Family)
It's somehow soothing, and it makes me forget that I'm a patient. It might be fun to come to the hospital. Thank you. (70s, Female, Patient's Family)
I appreciate your attention to detail. (70s, Male, Patient)
I'm aware of the fragrance. (70s, Male, Patient)
The fragrance is just right. (70s, Male, Patient)
The fragrance is nice and subtle. (80s and older, Female, Patient)
The fragrance was strong when I entered the waiting room, but it was just right. (70s, Male, Patient)
It's just right, not too strong. (70s, Female, Patient)
It's a fragrance that makes me feel less stiff in the hospital and makes me feel more positive about the future. (40s, Female, Patient)
I appreciate the attention to detail for patients. (70s, Female, Patient)
I'm aware of the fragrance. (50s, Female, Patient)

From left, Dr. Tomoyoshi Myo, Department Head of Tumor and Hematology, Edogawa Hospital, and Kenji Ota, Representative Director and President of CODE Meee

【Comments from Doctors and Nurses at Edogawa Hospital】

Dr. Tomoyoshi Myo Profile: Head of the Department of Tumor and Hematology, Edogawa Hospital, Director of the Tokyo Cancer Immunotherapy Center, and Director of Precision Medicine Center. He is at the forefront of advanced treatment for blood diseases and cancer chemotherapy. He has appeared on television and supervised medical textbooks, including "Takeshi's Health Entertainment! Everyone's Family Medicine." He is a certified specialist in cancer chemotherapy and a certified instructor of the Japanese Society of Clinical Oncology, a certified instructor of the Japanese Society of Hematology, a certified specialist in antimicrobial chemotherapy of the Japanese Society of Chemotherapy, a certified specialist in Japanese internal medicine, and a certified physician of the Japanese Cancer Treatment Association. Comment: This is the first case where the effectiveness of "aroma space design" in a medical facility has been thoroughly verified with the cooperation of patients and their families, and I am very pleased that many patients have expressed their happiness and felt "relaxed" through the original aroma created by CODE Meee's scientific approach. As a result of this verification, I expect that CODE Meee's blended fragrances will be widely used in "places" where patients and their families seek to reduce anxiety, fear, and stress, leading to improved QOL for patients and their families. Dr. Hiroki Goto Profile: Deputy Director of the Department of Tumor and Hematology, Edogawa Hospital, Director of the Department of Chemical Therapy, and Certified Specialist in Palliative Care. He specializes in cancer chemotherapy and palliative care, and actively incorporates early palliative care. Certified Palliative Care Nurse: Tomoe Hirozawa Certified Palliative Care Nurse: Shiho Aono Comment: Fragrance in the radiation treatment room is an interesting initiative because radiation treatment involves a lot of stress. From the verification during the survey period, we received many happy comments from patients, and the positive responses in the questionnaire results showed that this verification led to a more comfortable environment for patients and their families. I also heard opinions from the staff that the fragrance relaxed them, and I think that caring for the staff will lead to better care for patients. I think it is important to incorporate ideas from the patients' perspective in order to provide better medical care. I hope that CODE Meee's fragrance space design will improve the environment for many people and make it more comfortable.