Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Oral mucositis is a common and debilitating side effect experienced by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, leading to significant pain and discomfort that may impair their quality of life and treatment outcomes. Laser therapy has emerged as a potential intervention for the management of oral mucositis due to its beneficial effects on tissue healing and pain relief. This thesis aims to assess the efficacy of laser therapy in the management of oral mucositis in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The study will be conducted as a randomized controlled trial, with cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and experiencing oral mucositis being recruited from a cancer treatment center. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group receiving laser therapy or the control group receiving standard care. The primary outcomes of interest include the reduction in oral mucositis severity, pain intensity, and improvement in oral function and quality of life. Chapter One provides an introduction to the research topic, background information on oral mucositis, the problem statement, objectives of the study, limitations, scope, significance, structure of the thesis, and definition of key terms. Chapter Two presents a comprehensive review of the literature on oral mucositis, cancer treatment-related oral complications, mechanisms of action of laser therapy, and previous studies on the use of laser therapy in oral mucositis management. Chapter Three outlines the research methodology, including the study design, participant recruitment, intervention protocol, outcome measures, data collection procedures, and statistical analysis plan. This chapter also discusses ethical considerations and potential challenges in conducting the study. Chapter Four presents the findings of the study, including the effectiveness of laser therapy in reducing oral mucositis severity, pain intensity, and improving oral function and quality of life compared to standard care. The discussion section explores the implications of the results, potential mechanisms of action of laser therapy, and recommendations for clinical practice and future research. Chapter Five summarizes the key findings of the study, discusses the implications for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and provides recommendations for healthcare providers and policymakers. The conclusion highlights the potential of laser therapy as a safe and effective intervention for the management of oral mucositis in cancer patients, emphasizing the importance of integrating this modality into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Thesis Overview