Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Nursing - Department of Surgical Nursing

Background Radiotherapy, whether alone or combined with surgery and / or chemotherapy treatment, remains the main and the most effective treatment for head and neck cancer. In spite of that; radiotherapy has many side effects. Out of this side effects radiation induced oral mucositis which one of its most common side effects. Aim: the aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of chamomile on radiotherapy induced oral mucositis among patients with head and neck cancer. Research hypotheses; HI: Patients who receive chamomile gel have statistically significant difference of oral mucositis grade compared to control group who receive only routine hospital care.H2: Patients who receive chamomile gel have statistically significant lower mean severity scores of pain intensity associated with oral mucositis compared to those who receive routine hospital care.H3: Patients who receive chamomile gel have statistically significant lower mean severity scores of patient reported oral mucositis symptoms compared to those who receive routine hospital care. Research Design: Quasi-experimental (nonequivalent control group interrupted time series) research design was utilized Setting: The current study was conducted at Kasr Al-Aini hospital (Centre of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine{u2013} Radiotherapy Unit. Sample: A convenient sample of 60 patients with head and neck cancer were recruited along six months and extended up to one year. Tools: Four tools were utilized to collect data; Structured Interview Questionnaire, National Cancer Institute scoring for mucositis, Patient Reported Oral Mucositis Symptoms (PROMS) Scale and Pain Numeric Rating Scale (PNRS-11). Result: The study findings revealed that 43.3% of both study and control group had age equal or more than 60 years with mean age of patients in the study and control groups were 53.9±16.6 and 54.4± 15 years respectively as well as 83.3% were male and 93.3% were married. there was statistically significant difference in oral mucositis grade, pain severity mean scores, as well as patient reported oral mucositis symptoms mean scores among the study group who received chamomile gel compared to the control group who received only routine hospital care

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