Abstract

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drug (powerful chemicals) to kill cancer cells. Peripheral administration of some intravenous chemotherapy is venous irritation leading to phlebitis that resulting from the chemical effects of the drug on the vein wall. Aloevera gel has both anti-microbial and anti- inflammatory effects. Aloe vera Gel is more effective than routine treatment in reducing pain and severity of inflammation. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of aloe vera gel application on phlebitis among patients who received chemotherapy at selected hospital, Coimbatore. Non-randomized quasi experimental pretest - posttest with control group design was adopted in the study. By using non-probability purposive sampling technique 40 study participants were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 were assigned to the experimental and control group respectively. Pretest assessment on demographic variables, clinical variables, and the level of phlebitis was assessed for both experimental and control groups by using visual infusion phlebitis (VIP) scale. After the pretest, the investigator applied fresh aloe vera gel extract of 1ml topically to the experimental group and gauze dressing over it. The intervention of aloevera gel application over the site of thrombophlebitis for 15 minutes, morning and evening 2 times a day for 3 days. In the control group, patients received routine care. After the intervention, the post test was done on fourth day by using visual infusion phlebitis (VIP) scale for both experimental and control groups. It was identified that the mean score of phlebitis among patients with phlebitis who received chemotherapy in experimental group was 0.6±0.75 and in control group was 3.05 ±1.31. The estimated unpaired‘t’ value was 3.36 which is highly significant at p value 0.001. Hence, it was concluded that the aloe vera gel was an effective in reducing the level of phlebitis.

Keywords

aloe vera gel application, thrombophlebitis, chemotherapy