Impact of Educational Guidelines on Oral Mucositis Severity and Quality of Life in Oncology Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background: Oral mucositis (OM) is a prevalent side effect of chemotherapy that negatively impacts patient quality of life (QoL). Educational guidelines may provide strategies to mitigate these effects. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of educational guidelines on the severity of OM and QoL in oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted. Patients (n = 108) were randomly assigned to an intervention group receiving educational guidelines or a control group receiving routine care. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at one and three months post-intervention. Data were collected using a structured interview including assessments of personal characteristics, clinical data, chemotherapy side effects, OM severity, and QoL. Results: Baseline QoL scores were comparable between groups. Post-intervention, the intervention group experienced significant improvements in QoL (p ≤ 0.05), while the control group showed a decline. OM severity was significantly reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group at both time points (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Educational guidelines are an effective intervention for reducing OM severity and improving QoL in oncology patients receiving chemotherapy. Implementation of these guidelines can enhance patient well-being and support optimal treatment outcomes.