Published Paper Details:

This study investigated the efficacy of ice chips versus normal saline in mitigating oral mucositis among patients undergoing chemotherapy at MIMS Hospital, Calicut. Key objectives included independently assessing the effect of ice chips and normal saline on oral mucositis severity, directly comparing their effectiveness, and identifying potential associations between oral mucositis incidence and the clinical variables like cancer type and specific chemotherapeutic agents. The research employed a rigorous time-series design featuring multiple interventions. A purposive sampling technique was utilized to select 60 eligible patients. Data were meticulously gathered through structured and semi-structured interviews, complemented by a comprehensive observational checklist to document oral mucositis progression. Betty Neuman's Systems Model served as the guiding theoretical framework for this inquiry. Data analysis, incorporating both descriptive and inferential statistics, yielded significant findings. Both intervention groups demonstrated a notable reduction in oral mucositis severity between Day 1 and Day 4. However, the application of normal saline emerged as demonstrably more effective than ice chips in managing chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. This study compellingly highlights the critical role of simple, non-invasive interventions in improving patient comfort and well-being throughout their arduous chemotherapy journey, providing valuable evidence for clinical practice.