Oral mucositis ; Oral care protocol ; Chemotherapy ; Gargling ; Oral care performance
Abstract
Purpose : This study was conducted to develop and evaluate an oral care protocol for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
Methods: The participants in this study were cancer patients in Severance hospital in Seoul. A total of 31 patients were assigned to the experimental group, and 29 patients to the control group. Data were collected from August 1 to October 5, 2010. The protocol included definition and symptom of oral mucositis, self-check method of oral status, prophylactic method of oral mucositis (oral care, eating habits, and gargling) and management of oral mucositis. Oral Assessment Guide (OAG) was used as the measurement tool of oral mucositis in this study, Oral Care Performance Scale was used as the measurement tool of oral care performance status. Data were analyzed with a x2-test and t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA, using SPSS/WIN 18.0 program.
Results : Patients in the experimental group receiving the oral care protocol had a significant difference (t=-2.938, p=.005) in the oral care performance compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference (F=1.255, p=.274) in the oral mucositis status between two groups.
Conclusion : This study showed that the oral care protocol could improve oral care performance status for the patients under chemotherapy.