A Randomized Clinical Trial to Assess the Effectiveness of Turmeric Mouth Wash on Radiation Induced Oral Mucositis among Patient with Head and Neck Cancer Admitted at Oncology Units of Selected Hospitals of Bagalkot

Introduction: Head and neck cancer, and specifically oral cancer, was always described as a disease of old age with most epidemiological studies describing higher incidence in the age group of fifty to seventy years old. Mucositis persist throughout radiation therapy. As radiation therapy continues mucositis worsen, contributes to poor nutrition, low quality of life. Even though on one side radiation helps as a treatment, on the other side it has its complications that are making an issue in the developing countries. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of turmeric mouthwash as compared to routine oral care on radiation induced oral mucositis among patients with head and neck cancer. Methods: A randomized control design and Dorothy Orem Self Care theory Conceptual framework used for the study. The study conducted from 01 February 2021 to 30 April 2021, in the Radiation, Department of Halamma Kerudi Cancer Hospital, Bagalkot. Fifty patients were randomized into two groups and WHO Oral Mucositis Grading Scale used. The experimental groups (n25) were advised to rinse their mouth with 50 ml of turmeric mouthwash where as control group (n25) was advised to rinse their mouth with routine oral care for 30 seconds, 15 minutes before radiation therapy and 15 minutes, 4 hours and 12 hours after radiation therapy. Post intervention assessments were made on day 1, 5, 10, and 15 after intervention with turmeric mouthwash and routine oral care in the experimental and control group respectively. Results: The result showed that, in the experimental group the mean oral Mucositis grades obtained during Ist, IInd and IIIrd and IVth interventional assessment (1st, 5th, 10th and 15th day ) were 0, 0.48,1.16 and 1.64 whereas in the control group were 0, 0.24,0.72 and 1.2 respectively. This proved that, there is a significant reduction in the oral mucositis in the control group (0.24-1.2) when compared to experimental group (0.48-1.64). There was statistically significant found in the grades of oral mucositis among head and neck cancer patients in control group (pless than0.005) as compared to experimental group. Conclusion: The findings of the study revealed that turmeric mouthwash is effective for radiation induced oral mucositis. Though in experimental and control groups are having mucositis, but there was a difference in the severity of oral mucositis.