The control group received only usual care, while the Oral moisture checker (Mucus, Life Co., Ltd.), the Oral Health Assessment Tool, and the Bedside Oral Exam were used to assess oral mucosal moisture and oral health status before (day 0) and after 7 days.

The experimental group had 4°C saline-soaked gauze applied to the oral cavity for 15 minutes at 06:00 AM and 06:00 PM daily for one week, while the Oral moisture checker (Mucus, Life Co., Ltd.), the Oral Health Assessment Tool, and the Bedside Oral Exam were used to assess oral mucosal moisture and oral health status before (day 0) and after 7 days.

Soak two 4x4 gauze pads in 15 ml of normal saline, refrigerate at 4°C, and then apply in the oral cavity for 15 minutes before removal.

The oral moisture checking device was utilized to assess symptoms of dry mouth in participants.

This study utilized an oral moisture checking device produced by Life Co., Ltd. of Japan, which measures the moisture content within the oral cavity using the principle of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). The measurement method involves placing a specialized plastic sleeve over the tongue approximately one centimeter from the tip and applying a force of 200 grams. A measurement is obtained after about 2 seconds. A reading below 27.9 indicates dryness, a reading between 28 and 29.5 is considered borderline, and readings of 29.6 and above are normal. Both the sensitivity and specificity of this method are 0.8.

The Oral health assessment Tool consists of 8 categories: lips, tongue, gum and tissues, saliva, natural teeth, dentures, oral cleanliness, and dental pain. The scoring is as follows: 0 points for "healthy," 1 point for "beginning changes in the mouth," and 2 points for "unhealthy." The maximum score is 16, with higher scores indicating poorer oral health.