The efficacy of honey or olive oil on the severity of oral mucositis and pain compared to placebo (standard care) in children with leukemia receiving intensive chemotherapy: A randomized controlled trial (RCT)

• Published in: Journal of pediatric nursing 2023-05, Vol.70, p.e48-e53
• Main Authors: Badr, Lina Kurdahi, El Asmar, Rebecca, Hakim, Sarah, Saad, Rima, Merhi, Roni, Zahreddine, Ammar, Muwakkit, Samar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Child; Children; Honey; Humans; Leukemia; Leukemia - complications; Olive oil; Olive Oil - therapeutic use; Oral mucositis; Pain; Stomatitis - chemically induced; Stomatitis - drug therapy
• ISSN: 0882-5963; 1532-8449
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.12.003

Oral mucositis (OM) is a significant complication occurring in approximately 40 to 80% of patients receiving chemotherapy regimens. Although a wide variety of agents have been tested to prevent OM or reduce its severity, none have provided conclusive evidence. To determine the efficacy of honey or olive oil on the severity and OM pain in children with leukemia and suffering from OM compared to placebo (standard care) and, to assess which of the two interventions is more beneficial. A single blind randomized controlled study (RCT) was used to evaluate the effect of Manuka honey or olive oil, in the treatment of chemotherapy-related OM in 42 children with leukemia. The primary outcome was the severity of mucositis, using the World Health Organization (WHO) scale and the secondary outcome was the pain assessed using the Visual analogue scale (VAS). Children who received the honey had less severe OM (assessed on the (WHO) scale), p = 0.00 and less pain (assessed on the VAS scale), p = 0.00, compared to the control group. Children who received the olive oil had less pain than the control group, p = 0.00), although not lower than the honey group. Manuka honey or olive oil can be used as alternative therapies by nurses to children with leukemia and suffering from OM, especially in low and middle-income countries where more expensive therapies may not be available or economical. Pediatric nurses may recommend Manuka honey to treat OM in children with leukemia as it is safe and inexpensive compared to other treatment modalities. •In this RCT with 42 children, children who received the Manuka honey or the olive oil had less severe oral mucositis compared to the control group. Children in the honey group had the least severe oral mucositis than the olive oil group or the control group.•Children who received the honey or the olive oil had less pain than the control group, with the honey group having the least pain.•Compared to standard treatment honey is economical, well tolerated by children and can be used as an alternative medicine especially in low and middle-income countries