Oral cryotherapy prevents oral mucositis and pain among patients with colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

PMID: 

Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2018 10 1 ;22(5):555-560. PMID: 30239519

Abstract Title: 

Oral Cryotherapy: Prevention of Oral Mucositis and Pain Among Patients With Colorectal Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Evidence remains mixed on the benefits of oral cryotherapy in the prevention of oral mucositis and pain associated with fluorouracil-based chemotherapy.OBJECTIVES: The intent of this article is to evaluate the effect of oral cryotherapy on the prevention of oral mucositis and pain among patients with colorectal cancer undergoing fluorouracil-based chemotherapy.METHODS: Using an experimental study design, the authors randomly assigned 80 patients to either the intervention (n = 40) or usual care group (n = 40). Intervention group participants received oral cryotherapy in the form of ice chips held in their mouths during chemotherapy infusion. Both groups used sodium bicarbonate mouthwash postchemotherapy until the next cycle.FINDINGS: In the usual care group, most participants reported grade 2 (moderate to life-threatening) or greater mucositis. Pain associated with mucositis was lower using oral cryotherapy, with the majority of participants in the intervention group reporting no pain.

read more