title: [Effects of an Oral Care Program on the Swallowing Function in Post-Operative Patients With Oral Cancer].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral cancer is the fourth leading cause of death among men in Taiwan. Dysphagia, choking, and aspiration pneumonia are often noted in post-operative patients with oral cancer. Improving patients' swallowing function is an urgent problem that cannot be neglected.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of an oral care program on the swallowing function of post-operative patients with oral cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A quasi-experimental research design was conducted and post-operative patients with oral cancer were recruited. The experimental group (n = 20) received 12 weeks of the oral care program intervention, while the control group (n = 20) received standard post-operative care. The modified barium swallow (MBS) study and self-rated degree of dysphagia were compared between the two groups after the intervention period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Post-intervention scores on the MBS test and for the self-rated degree of dysphagia were significantly better in the experimental group than in the control group (p < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Performing the oral care program was found to improve the swallowing function of post-operative patients with oral cancer. The results of the present study provide a reference for healthcare providers to improve quality of care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Changhua Christian Hopital, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Ching-Chi
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hsiang
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, ROC. yjhwu@ctust.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Yueh-Juen
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Hwu
mesh_terms: D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012107:Research Design
keywords: dysphagia; modified barium swallow; oral cancer; oral care program