The Effect of A Salivation Stimulation Method on Xerostomia in Colon Cancer Patients after Surgery

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to develop a salivation stimulation method and to verify the effect of a salivation stimulation method on xerostomia in colon cancer patients after surgery. METHODS: This study targeted 21 in the experimental group and 22 in the control group, who were diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent surgery at A university hospital. The salivation stimulation method consists of tongue movement for stimulating minor salivary glands in mouth and a parotid gland and submandibular gland massage with hands. The method was applied four times a day for 2 days the next day after surgery. RESULTS: On the first postoperative day, the experimental group showed a significantly larger amount of salivation than the control group (p=.010). On the second postoperative day, the experimental group showed a significantly larger amount of salivation than the control group (p<.001). On the first postoperative day, the subjective xerostomia scores in the experimental group and control group were not statistically significant (p=.165). On the second postoperative day, the experimental group showed a significantly lower subjective xerostomia score than the control group (p=.001). CONCLUSION: It is considered that providing cancer patients with this salivation stimulation method after surgery would reduce discomfort caused by xerostomia.