Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate oral wash on reduction of oral mucositis among patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapy in GVN Hospital, Trichy

INTRODUCTION: Oral mucositis markedly influences the physical and psychosocial wellbeing of patients undergoing cancer therapy. Oral mucositis is one of the most frequent causes of treatment delay and dosage reductions in cancertherapy. Patients’ quality of life can also be affected markedly by pain, infection, altered nutrition,and decrease in oral function. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate oral wash on reduction of oral mucositis among patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapy in experimental group. METHODOLOGY: Evaluative research approach with Quasi Experimental Design was adopted for this study. Sixty patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapy were recruited by nonprobability convenient sampling technique in the setting of GVN Hospital, Trichy, and divided into Experimental and Control groups. Experimental group (n=30) received sodium bicarbonate oral wash (5 gm of sodium bicarbonate in 250 ml of water) for two times a day for one week and control group (n=30) were not received intervention. The study tool was Oral Assessment Guide to assess the pre-test and post-test level of oral mucositis. RESULTS: Statistical findings revealed that the post test oral mucositis mean score is 10.83 in experimental group is less than the control group (13.90). The calculated ‘t’ value 3.556 was significant at p < 0.001 level. It is proved that the sodium bicarbonate oral wash was effective in reducing oral mucositis among patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapy. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that the effect of sodium bicarbonate oral wash is favorable in reducing oral mucositis and their economic burden and improving their quality of life.