Effect of Oral Care Protocol on Oral Clinical Outcome Among Patients Receiving Radiotherapy on Head and Neck Region
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- Category: Vol. 78, June 2010
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Effect of Oral Care Protocol on Oral Clinical Outcome Among Patients Receiving Radiotherapy on Head and Neck Region, SOHEIR M. WEHEIDA, AMAL E. SHEHATA and ZEINAB A. HUSSIAN
Abstract
Aim of this Study: Determining the effect of oral care protocol on oral clinical outcome among patients receiving radiotherapy on head and neck region.
Method: A convenience sample of 60 patients with head and neck cancer were randomly and alternatively divided into two equal groups: 30 for each group: Study group (I) received protocol of oral care. Control group (II) exposed to routine hospital care. The study was conducted at the Cancer Institute of Shebin El-Khom, Menofia University Hospital.
Tools: Three tools were used. Tool 1): Oral Care Structured Interview. Tool 2): Oral cavity Observational Check List and Tool 3): Oral Mucositis Scale.
Results: A highly significant improvement was found in patients knowledge regards dealing with swallowing, thirst, xerostomia, difficult in speak, taste problem and smell problem between study and control groups in the third assessment. Highly significant differences also existed between patients in study and control groups in the third assessment in relation to lips condition and gingival status. Concerning, sense of taste and swallowing ability a significant progress was observed among patients in the study group for the third assessment compared to baseline assessment.
Conclusions: It was concluded that a proposed program of oral care when implemented showed a reduction in the oral cavity problems among patients who received radiotherapy to head and neck region. Enrichment of patients with knowl-edge and skills about oral care and its management can lead to improvement of clinical outcomes.