Reducing Chemotoxic Stomatitis in Cancer Patients With a Self-Care Oral Hygiene Protocol

Abstract

A Pretest-Posttest Control Group design was used to examine the effectiveness of a self-care management approach to reduce the severity of chemotoxic stomatitis. Orem's nursing model. Levin's self-care theory, and Magoon's constructivist research ethodology were employed as the theoretical framework. Subjects, 24 short-stay or out-patient oncology clients, were all beginning treatment with known stomatotoxic agents. Buccal cultures were taken to determine changes in normal oral flora during stomatitis. The experimental group received information and direction for a systematic oral hygiene protocol. Post-chemotherapy oral assessment score means of the experimental group were significantly better (p<.01) than those of the control group. Candida was cultured from half of the sample subjects in the pre-chemotherapy specimens; oral cultures taken when stomatitis occurred were similar to initial cultures.