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Oral Mucositis Prevention and Treatment in Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Patients
Dissertation

Oral Mucositis Prevention and Treatment in Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Patients

Amy Jipp
University of Iowa
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
Spring 2026
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Abstract

Background: Over 80% of pediatric bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients experience oral mucositis during transplant due to the chemotherapy and radiation these patients receive. Photobiomodulation is a widely studied and recommended approach for preventing and treating oral mucositis in pediatric BMT patients, but many hospitals have not implemented it due to the time and cost required. Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to help prevent and treat oral mucositis in pediatric BMT patients. Methods: This evidence-based practice project utilized the Iowa Model and implemented photobiomodulation for pediatric BMT patients through the BMT nurses, by creating a standardized nursing guideline and providing comprehensive staff training. Education surveys and chart audits were conducted from staff and patients at a Midwest teaching hospital to assess the nursing guideline and the use of photobiomodulation. Quantitative and qualitative data was analyzed by comparing pre- and post-data to determine the impact on oral mucositis. Findings: Of the 18 BMT nurses educated on photobiomodulation during this project, we observed a significant increase in knowledge and project dedication, with only 5 missed photobiomodulation sessions for patients with oral mucositis. Although during this project we did not observe a decrease in oral assessment guide scores, as the literature has supported a decrease in mucositis with photobiomodulation implementation, we did find a decrease in length of stay and duration of mucositis. These results revealed a strong correlation between photobiomodulation and oral mucositis, particularly in preventing and treating oral mucositis in pediatric BMT patients. Discussion: The finding suggests that implementing a nursing guideline for photobiomodulation and staff education is crucial for preventing and treating oral mucositis. The findings highlight the need for a standardized pediatric mucositis scale and demonstrate that photobiomodulation affects a patient's length of stay and the duration of mucositis.
 Photobiomodulation Oral Mucositis Oral Assessment Guide Bone Marrow Transplant Nursing Guideline

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