Efficacy of Ice Ball Oral Care on Subjective-Objective Oral Health Status in Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study

Background/Objectives: Oral mucositis and oral discomfort are common side effects in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of ice ball oral care on subjective-objective oral health status induced by chemotherapy in adult cancer patients among Korean Women .

Method/Statistical analysis: Participants were randomly assigned either to the experimental group(n=15) that received ice ball oral care during chemotherapy or the control group(n=15) that received normal saline oral care during chemotherapy.

Findings: There was a significant difference in oral mucositis, and oral discomfort between the two groups, and there were significant changes over time and the group by time interactions.

Improvements/Applications: The findings of the study demonstrated that ice ball oral care was more effective than the normal saline oral care in improving subjective-objective oral health status in adult cancer patientss undergoing chemotherapy.