The Effect of a Brief Psychological Intervention on the Survival of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Pilot Study
Authors List
Hardcastle, T., Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Counties Manukau District Health Board, Auckland, NZ
Richardson, A., Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, NZ
Van der Werf, B,. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, NZ
Broadbent, E., Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Auckland, NZ
Morton, R. P., Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Counties Manukau District Health Board, Auckland, NZ
Introduction: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is not only life-threatening, but has profound effects on patient health-related quality of life (HRQL). HRQL is reduced in patients who are often affected by pain, disfigurement, and impaired breathing, swallowing, and speaking. HRQL has been found to be a significant factor contributing to HNC patient clinical outcomes including disease-specific outcomes and overall survival.
Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of three self-regulation sessions on HNC patient HRQL and survival at five years post-HNC intervention.
Methods: 64 patients with HNC were recruited and randomly allocated to two groups. The control group received standard treatment, without any self-regulation sessions. The intervention group received three 60 minute self-regulation sessions face-to-face with a health psychologist in addition to standard treatment. Questionnaires were used to assess HRQL, general distress and illness perceptions at baseline and again after 6 months. Survival was determined five years following intervention.
Results: The intervention group had increased social quality of life at 6 months (p = .01) compared to the control group. Of 57 patients who were successfully followed up, the five year survival rate was 19/27 (70.4%) in the control group and 26/30 (86.7%) in the intervention group, but this difference did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusion: A brief psychological intervention following HNC diagnosis was associated with improved social quality of life at 6 months and a non-significant trend toward increased survival over 5 years.
Hardcastle, T., Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Counties Manukau District Health Board, Auckland, NZ
Richardson, A., Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, NZ
Van der Werf, B,. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, NZ
Broadbent, E., Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Auckland, NZ
Morton, R. P., Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Counties Manukau District Health Board, Auckland, NZ
Introduction: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is not only life-threatening, but has profound effects on patient health-related quality of life (HRQL). HRQL is reduced in patients who are often affected by pain, disfigurement, and impaired breathing, swallowing, and speaking. HRQL has been found to be a significant factor contributing to HNC patient clinical outcomes including disease-specific outcomes and overall survival.
Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of three self-regulation sessions on HNC patient HRQL and survival at five years post-HNC intervention.
Methods: 64 patients with HNC were recruited and randomly allocated to two groups. The control group received standard treatment, without any self-regulation sessions. The intervention group received three 60 minute self-regulation sessions face-to-face with a health psychologist in addition to standard treatment. Questionnaires were used to assess HRQL, general distress and illness perceptions at baseline and again after 6 months. Survival was determined five years following intervention.
Results: The intervention group had increased social quality of life at 6 months (p = .01) compared to the control group. Of 57 patients who were successfully followed up, the five year survival rate was 19/27 (70.4%) in the control group and 26/30 (86.7%) in the intervention group, but this difference did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusion: A brief psychological intervention following HNC diagnosis was associated with improved social quality of life at 6 months and a non-significant trend toward increased survival over 5 years.
