Raeessi, M.A., Raeessi, N., Panahi, Y., Gharaie, H., Davoudi, S.M., Saadat, A., . . . Jalalian, H. (2014). \"Coffee plus Honey\" versus \"topical steroid\" in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis: A randomised controlled trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 14, 293-6882-14-293.
To draw a comparison between the therapeutic effects of treatment modalities (topical steroid, honey, honey plus coffee) in patients with oral mucositis
Patients were randomized to one of three groups that each received a 600 g syrup solution. The solution in the steroid group (S) contained 20, 8 mg Betamethasone solution ampoules. The solution in the honey plus coffee group (HC) contained 300 g of honey plus 20 g of instant coffee. The solution in the honey group (H) contained 300 g of honey. Every three hours for one week, patients were instructed to sip 10 ml of their solution and swallow it. Data were collected prior to the initiation of the intervention and one week later. Patients were not allowed to use any other anti-inflammatory agents during the study. Patients and providers were blinded to the groups.
Double-blinded, randomized clinical trial
All three regimens significantly reduced oral mucositis at the end of the intervention week (p < .05).
A steroid solution, honey plus coffee solution, or honey only solution reduced the severity of oral mucositis after one week of treatment.
Further investigation is needed on this intervention taking into account participants' diseases and chemotherapy regimens received.