The Effectiveness of a Thyme and Honey Spray for Oral Toxicities

The Effectiveness of a Thyme and Honey Spray for the Management of Oral Mucositis and Xerostomia in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of thymus honey on radiation induced-oral mucositis and xerostomia.

Background: Oral mucositis and xerostomia are two of the most severe side effects that head and neck cancer patients confront during and after the completion of radiotherapy. Although several medications are used for their treatment, these fail to provide a fully effective and comprehensive management. Honey and thyme have been studied for the management of various treatment-related side effects.

Design: Α double blinded randomised controlled trial will be used for this study.

Methods: 200 head and neck cancer patients who receive radiotherapy will be included in this study. Patients will be randomised and divided into two equal groups of 100 participants; the intervention group (oral spray with thyme and honey + standard care) and the control group ( placebo spray + standard care). Assessments with xerostomia and oral mucositis scales additionally to 4 self-administered questionnaires will occur in both groups at baseline and then weekly and 6 months following completion of treatment. The duration of the study will be 3 years from the day of approval of this research protocol.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a confirmed histologic diagnosis of head and neck cancer
• Patients referred to non-palliative radiotherapy to the oral cavity will be included in the study
• Synchronous or induction chemotherapy, or both, will be permitted.
• Patients aged over 18,
• Patients able to provide informed consent,
• Patients having radiotherapy for at least three weeks (lower limit has been set at 50 Gy),
• Patients able to complete records accurately

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a confirmed and medically treated diabetes mellitus,
• Patients with allergy to honey, thyme or any other ingredient,
• Patients who will refuse to take part in this study and
• Patients with previous radiotherapy or presence of systemic disease.