Abstract CN77
Background
Chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis can be prevented or treated in a number of different ways among pediatric oncology patients. One of the methods is chewing gum. However, the evidence in the literature that chewing gum is effective in preventing or reducing chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in pediatric oncology patients is weak. Objective: To systematically summarize research regarding chewing gum interventions and outcomes and to evaluate the effect of the chewing gum on reducing chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in children.
Methods
PRISMA guidelines were used to guide this systematic review. Six electronic databases covering English and Turkish language publications were systematically searched until February 2022 using the search terms ‘child with cancer,' ‘chemotherapy,' ‘oral mucositis,' and ‘chewing gum.'
Results
This systematic review included five randomized controlled trials (RCT) and quasi-experimental studies involving 461 pediatric oncology patients. There was heterogeneity in the administration of gum chewing and the effectiveness of gum chewing among all studies. Chewing gum is not effective in reducing severe oral mucositis, although it is effective in reducing moderate and mild oral mucositis, according to two RTCs and one quasi-experimental research.
Conclusions
Chewing gum has the potential to reduce the moderate and mild degree of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis among pediatric oncology patients. To establish the effectiveness of chewing gum on oral mucositis in pediatric cancer patients, RCTs with rigorous designs, consistent outcome measures, and larger sample numbers are needed.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.