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Manuka honey mouthwash does not affect oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients in New Zealand

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 November 2011

Emma Parsons ,
Aubrey Begley  and
Patries Herst
Emma Parsons
Affiliation:
Regional Cancer Treatment Service, Palmerston North Hospital, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Aubrey Begley
Affiliation:
Wellington Blood and Cancer Centre, Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand
Patries Herst*
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Therapy, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
*
Correspondence to: PM Herst, Department of Radiation Therapy, University of Otago, Wellington, PO Box 7343, Wellington, New Zealand. Tel: 64 4 3855475. Fax: 64 4 3855375. E-mail: patries.herst@otago.ac.nz
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Abstract

Oral mucositis is an unavoidable side effect of radiation therapy to the head and neck, which can compromise patient health and quality of life. This study investigates the effect of manuka honey on the extent of oral mucositis in head and neck patients in New Zealand. A total of 28 patients were recruited; 10 patients received standard care and 18 patients were given additional manuka honey. Honey was used three times a day; assessment included: extent of oral mucositis using a multi-site mucositis scoring system, weight and quality of life. The first six patients, randomised to the honey arm, used undiluted honey and pulled out in the first week because of extreme nausea, vomiting and stinging sensations in the mouth. The next 12 honey patients used a honey mouthwash (diluted 1:3). Six of these patients completed the trial and four more completed the first 4 weeks of the trial. Eight control patients completed the trial. In contrast to previous honey trials in Malaysia, Egypt, Iran and India, diluted manuka honey did not decrease the extent and onset of radiation-induced oral mucositis but did appear to ameliorate radiation-induced weight loss and increase quality of life in the absence of cisplatin chemotherapy.

Keywords

Head and neck cancermanuka honeyoral mucositisradiation
Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 11 , Issue 4 , December 2012 , pp. 249 - 256
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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