Search

Background: Research is yet to investigate whether psychological interventions delivered early after diagnosis can benefit patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a brief self-regulatory intervention (targeting illness perceptions and coping) at improving HNC patient health-related quality of life (HRQL).Methods: A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted, in which 64 patients were assigned to receive three sessions with a health psychologist in addition to standard care or standard care alone. Participants completed questionnaires assessing HRQL, general distress, and illness perceptions at baseline and again 3 and 6 months later.Results: Compared to the control group, patients who received the intervention had increased treatment control perceptions at 3 months (p = .01), and increased social quality of life at 6 months (p = .01). The intervention was particularly helpful for patients exhibiting distress at baseline.Conclusion: A brief psychological intervention following HNC diagnosis can improve patient perceptions of treatment and social quality of life over time. Such interventions could be targeted to patients who are distressed in order to confer the greatest benefit.Trial Registration Number: 12614000813684. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There is evidence to suggest that caregivers of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate whether illness perceptions and coping strategies contribute to the development of these symptoms.Methods: Seventy-eight caregivers completed questionnaires to assess distress, illness perceptions, and coping at diagnosis. Six months later, PTSD symptoms were assessed. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to examine relationships between illness perceptions and coping at diagnosis and PTSD symptoms at 6 months in 48 caregivers.Results: Nineteen percent of caregivers met criteria for estimated PTSD caseness at 6-month follow-up. A regression analysis demonstrated that caregiver perceptions of low treatment benefit and many cancer symptoms, as well as use of avoidant coping techniques, predicted subsequent PTSD.Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that caregivers who have perceptions of low benefits from treatment and many patient symptoms, and those using avoidant coping strategies, are at increased risk of experiencing symptoms of PTSD. Psychological interventions that target illness perceptions and coping may help to reduce the prevalence of PTSD in caregivers of patients with HNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:This study investigated changes in illness perceptions from diagnosis to six months later in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) and their caregivers. The study also examined whether discrepancy in patient and caregiver perceptions at diagnosis predicted patient health-related quality of life (HRQL) at six months. Design:Forty-two patient–caregiver dyads completed the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief IPQ) at diagnosis and again six months later. Patients also completed a HRQL questionnaire at both time points. Analyses were performed using the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model. Main Outcome Measure:Total patient HRQL assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-H&N). Results:Perceptions of emotional impact and illness concern reduced over time in patients and caregivers. Perceptions of treatment control and identity increased in caregivers only. After controlling for the effects of baseline HRQL, and the individual contribution of patient and caregiver illness perceptions, greater discrepancy in perceptions of timeline, personal control, and illness identity among dyads at diagnosis predicted lower patient HRQL at six-month follow-up. Conclusion:Patients’ and their caregivers’ perceptions of HNC are dynamic over time. Greater discrepancy between patients’ and caregivers’ illness perceptions at diagnosis predict poorer subsequent patient HRQL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:The aim of this study was to explore the psychological support needs of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) and their caregivers. The appropriate timing, length, format and content of sessions were also investigated. Design:Eighty-three patients with HNC and 73 of their caregivers completed questionnaires at diagnosis. Follow-up questionnaires were mailed to patients six months later. Main outcome measures:Free text-comments to open-ended questions in the questionnaires were analysed using an inductive thematic approach with coding and theme development directed by the content of responses. This was used to determine psychological support needs both at diagnosis and at six month follow-up. Results:Patients described ‘just being there’, empathy, maintaining normality and practical support as helpful from family/friends. They desired information, honesty, positivity and empathy from clinical staff. Formal psychological support was desired by approximately 40% of patients and caregivers, particularly early after diagnosis and during treatment. Most participants desired face to face sessions, providing individualised information and coping strategies. Conclusion:The results of this study suggest that psychological interventions for patients with HNC and their caregivers should be delivered early after diagnosis in face to face sessions, presenting honest and factual information about the disease and coping strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study investigated the contribution of patient and caregiver illness perceptions to the quality of life of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Ninety-eight patients and their caregivers (n = 80) completed questionnaires at diagnosis. Caregivers' illness perceptions were significantly more negative than patients with respect to consequences, timeline, treatment, concern, and the emotional impact of HNC. The interaction between some patient and caregiver illness perceptions explained additional variance in patient quality of life, above and beyond patients' own illness perceptions. These findings suggest that caregivers should be included in psychological interventions to improve HNC patient quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]