Chamomile Mouthwash As A Supportive Care Intervention For Chemotherapy-Associated Oral Mucositis In Kidney Transplant Patients

Abstract

Chemotherapy-associated oral mucositis remains a common and debilitating complication that significantly affects quality of life, treatment continuity, and hospitalisation outcomes. Kidney transplant patients represent a particularly vulnerable population due to chronic immunosuppression, impaired mucosal healing, and heightened infection risk. Safe and effective supportive care strategies suitable for renal transplant settings remain limited. Exploring safe, accessible, and cost-effective interventions aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-Being, which emphasizes improving healthy lifestyle and ensuring universal access to effective treatments in improving the health. To evaluate the effectiveness of chamomile mouthwash in reducing the severity of chemotherapy-associated oral mucositis in kidney transplant patients and to assess its impact on pain intensity and oral functional outcomes during hospitalisation. A prospective, controlled, hospital-based interventional study was conducted among 120 hospitalised adult kidney transplant recipients receiving chemotherapy. Participants were allocated to either a chamomile mouthwash group (n = 60) or a standard oral care group (n = 60). Oral mucositis severity, pain intensity, oral intake tolerance, treatment compliance, and adverse events were assessed at baseline and during follow-up. Data were analysed using appropriate inferential statistical methods, including independent samples t-tests, chi-square tests, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Patients receiving chamomile mouthwash demonstrated a significant reduction in oral mucositis severity compared with controls (p = 0.003). Pain intensity decreased more rapidly in the intervention group (p < 0.001), and mucositis resolution occurred earlier (log-rank p = 0.01). Treatment compliance was high, and no serious adverse events were reported. Chamomile mouthwash appears to be a safe and effective supportive care intervention for managing chemotherapy-associated oral mucositis in kidney transplant patients, with potential benefits for patient comfort, treatment continuity, and inpatient outcomes.