Effect of Kefir on Symptom Management and Quality of Life in Oncology

This study was planned as a randomized controlled prospective experimental study to determine the effect of kefir on symptom management and quality of life in oncology patients receiving chemotherapy. The population of the study consisted of 600 cancer patients who received chemotherapy in the outpatient chemotherapy unit of a university hospital between June 1, 2023 and February 1, 2024. G\*Power 3.1 package program was used to determine the number of samples. The sample size to ensure the power of the test (1-β = 0.80) was determined as a minimum of 26 people for each group. Considering the possibility of losses, 106 patients were included in the study. Data from 22 patients who were followed up during the preparation phase of the study were not included in the study. Simple random sampling method was used to avoid bias in providing patients to be included in the study before the data collection phase. With the computer-based randomization method, patients were numbered in the order of arrival and divided into experimental and control. The sample of the study was determined as 84, 42 in the experimental group and 42 in the control group. In collecting data, "Individual Information Form, Nightingale Symptom Assessment Scale (NSD-S), FACT-G Quality of Life Scale, WHO Mucositis Evaluation Form, Rhodes Nausea Vomiting Gagging Index, ASCO Diarrhea Assessment Scale and Constipation Assessment Scale" were used. CAS)" was used. Kefir, which is among the complementary treatments today, is a practice in the literature due to its positive effects in the management of many symptoms. The use of kefir stands out because it can be applied regardless of place and time, is safe and cost-effective. It is thought that kefir consumption, which has positive effects on many symptoms and strengthening the immune system, can be applied in the management of oral mucositis, nausea-vomiting, diarrhea and constipation, but the literature remains limited on this subject. Since cancer patients, whose prevalence is increasing day by day, frequently experience symptoms during their treatment process, especially due to the chemotherapy they have received or are currently receiving, this study will add innovation to nursing science and literature and guide new research by determining whether kefir use is effective in symptom management and quality of life in oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy. It will happen.