Randomized clinical trial of the effectiveness of 3 commonly used mouthwashes to treat chemotherapy-induced mucositis

Objective. To test the effectiveness of 3 mouthwashes used to treat chemoth erapy-induced mucositis. The mouthwashes were as follows: salt and soda, ch lorhexidine, and "magic" mouthwash (lidocaine, Benadryl, and Maalox). Study design. A randomized, double-blind clinical trial was implemented in 23 outpatient and office settings. Participants were monitored from the tim e they developed mucositis until cessation of the signs and symptoms of muc ositis, or until they finished their 12-day supply of mouthwash. All partic ipants followed a prescribed oral hygiene program and were randomly assigne d a mouthwash. Nurses used the Oral Assessment Guide for initial assessment and taught patients how to assess their own mouths, then phoned the patien ts every other day to gather status reports. Results. In 142 of 200 patients, there was a cessation of the signs and sym ptoms of mucositis within 12 days. No significant differences in time for t he cessation of the signs and symptoms were observed among the 3 groups. Conclusions. Given the comparable effectiveness of the mouthwashes, the lea st costly was salt and soda mouthwash.