Effect of using Chamomilla Recutita on Management of Radiation Induced Stomatitis in Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background: Oral Stomatitis is a common inflammatory complication amongst cancer patients enduring radiation therapy. Stomatitis may consequence in discomfort pain and, difficulty in ingestion which may lead to nutritional deficiency. It is a serious side effect, which can consequence in a secondary infection (fungal, viral, or bacterial); it can lead to an interruption in treatment schedule and sometimes even patient drawing from treatment. So, it is important to use chamomilla recutita as preventative measures, and appropriate management measures when stomatitis does occur. This study aimed to determine the effect of using Chamomilla Recutita on the management of radiation-induced stomatitis in cancer patients. Design: A randomized controlled trial research design was utilized. Subjects: 60 adult patients were randomly selected and distributed into two groups equally (Study groups) who received routine care and mouthwash with a liquid extracted from Chamomilla Recutita at 1% and (Control group) who received routine hospital care only. A daily evaluation was done using the measurement scales of oral toxicities defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Results: A significant difference was found in oral assessments’ scores between the two groups. analysis and comparison of data mean a statistically significant difference between both studied groups as regards the decrease of pain level in the Chamomilla Recutita group faster and better than the other group. There was a statistically significant difference in the change in weight between both studied groups, and that meant that body weight improved much more in the Chamomilla Recutita group than it was in the other one. Recommendation: It is important to enhance the awareness level among the public, patients, and also the health care providers regarding the importance of performing oral hygiene using Chamomilla Recutita especially during receiving radiotherapy. Regular educational programs to continuously update the nurses knowledge with the advanced and effective practice of oral hygiene, early detection of stomatitis, and proper treatment to avoid or decrease oral infection as well as enforcing adequate nutrition rich in proteins, that promote healing and minimize infection.