Situational anxiety in head and neck cancer: Rates, patterns and clinical management interventions in a regional cancer setting
Abstract Introduction Research indicates that the immobilisation mask required for radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancers can provoke intense anxiety. However, little is known about the rates of this anxiety, whether it changes over a course of treatment and how it is managed in clinical p...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/jmrs.736 |
| _version_ | 1797268890731937792 |
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| author | Erin Forbes Kerrie Clover Sharon Oultram Chris Wratten Mahesh Kumar Minh Thi Tieu Gregory Carter Kristen McCarter Ben Britton Amanda L. Baker |
| author_facet | Erin Forbes Kerrie Clover Sharon Oultram Chris Wratten Mahesh Kumar Minh Thi Tieu Gregory Carter Kristen McCarter Ben Britton Amanda L. Baker |
| author_sort | Erin Forbes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Research indicates that the immobilisation mask required for radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancers can provoke intense anxiety. However, little is known about the rates of this anxiety, whether it changes over a course of treatment and how it is managed in clinical practice. This study aimed to describe the rates and patterns of situational anxiety in patients undergoing RT for head and neck cancer and the use of anxiety management interventions in current clinical practice in a major regional cancer setting in New South Wales, Australia. Methods Situational anxiety rates and patterns were assessed at five time points using the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory prior to treatment planning (SIM), the first three treatment sessions (Tx 1, Tx 2 and Tx 3) and treatment 20 (Tx 20). Sessions were observed to record the use of general supportive interventions (music and support person) and anxiety‐specific interventions (break from the mask, relaxation techniques and anxiolytic medication). Sociodemographic and clinical information was extracted from the medical record. Results One hundred and one patients were recruited. One‐third had clinically significant anxiety at any of the first three time points (33.3–40%), and a quarter at Tx 3 (26.4%) and Tx 20 (23.4%). Of the sample, 55.4% had available data for categorisation into one of four pattern groups: ‘No Anxiety’ (46.4%); ‘Decreasing Anxiety’ (35.7%); ‘Increasing Anxiety’ (7.1%); and ‘Stable High Anxiety’ (10.7%). Most participants had social support present at SIM (53.5%) and listened to music during treatment (86.7–92.9%). Few participants received relaxation techniques alone (1.2–2.3%). Anxiolytic medication was provided for 10% of patients at some stage during the treatment journey and 5% required a break from the mask at SIM, with frequency decreasing throughout the treatment course. Conclusions In this regional cancer setting, situational anxiety was common, but generally decreased throughout treatment. Some patients experience persistent or increasing anxiety, with up to 10% of patients receiving specific anxiety management interventions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-25T01:39:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-207a325967e04355a550f7c4b271495e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2051-3895 2051-3909 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-25T01:39:40Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-207a325967e04355a550f7c4b271495e2024-03-08T05:32:44ZengWileyJournal of Medical Radiation Sciences2051-38952051-39092024-03-0171110010910.1002/jmrs.736Situational anxiety in head and neck cancer: Rates, patterns and clinical management interventions in a regional cancer settingErin Forbes0Kerrie Clover1Sharon Oultram2Chris Wratten3Mahesh Kumar4Minh Thi Tieu5Gregory Carter6Kristen McCarter7Ben Britton8Amanda L. Baker9School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales AustraliaSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales AustraliaSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales AustraliaSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales AustraliaSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales AustraliaSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales AustraliaSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales AustraliaSchool of Psychological Sciences, College of Science, Engineering and Environment University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales AustraliaSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales AustraliaSchool of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales AustraliaAbstract Introduction Research indicates that the immobilisation mask required for radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancers can provoke intense anxiety. However, little is known about the rates of this anxiety, whether it changes over a course of treatment and how it is managed in clinical practice. This study aimed to describe the rates and patterns of situational anxiety in patients undergoing RT for head and neck cancer and the use of anxiety management interventions in current clinical practice in a major regional cancer setting in New South Wales, Australia. Methods Situational anxiety rates and patterns were assessed at five time points using the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory prior to treatment planning (SIM), the first three treatment sessions (Tx 1, Tx 2 and Tx 3) and treatment 20 (Tx 20). Sessions were observed to record the use of general supportive interventions (music and support person) and anxiety‐specific interventions (break from the mask, relaxation techniques and anxiolytic medication). Sociodemographic and clinical information was extracted from the medical record. Results One hundred and one patients were recruited. One‐third had clinically significant anxiety at any of the first three time points (33.3–40%), and a quarter at Tx 3 (26.4%) and Tx 20 (23.4%). Of the sample, 55.4% had available data for categorisation into one of four pattern groups: ‘No Anxiety’ (46.4%); ‘Decreasing Anxiety’ (35.7%); ‘Increasing Anxiety’ (7.1%); and ‘Stable High Anxiety’ (10.7%). Most participants had social support present at SIM (53.5%) and listened to music during treatment (86.7–92.9%). Few participants received relaxation techniques alone (1.2–2.3%). Anxiolytic medication was provided for 10% of patients at some stage during the treatment journey and 5% required a break from the mask at SIM, with frequency decreasing throughout the treatment course. Conclusions In this regional cancer setting, situational anxiety was common, but generally decreased throughout treatment. Some patients experience persistent or increasing anxiety, with up to 10% of patients receiving specific anxiety management interventions.https://doi.org/10.1002/jmrs.736Claustrophobiahead and neckpsychology |
| spellingShingle | Erin Forbes Kerrie Clover Sharon Oultram Chris Wratten Mahesh Kumar Minh Thi Tieu Gregory Carter Kristen McCarter Ben Britton Amanda L. Baker Situational anxiety in head and neck cancer: Rates, patterns and clinical management interventions in a regional cancer setting Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences Claustrophobia head and neck psychology |
| title | Situational anxiety in head and neck cancer: Rates, patterns and clinical management interventions in a regional cancer setting |
| title_full | Situational anxiety in head and neck cancer: Rates, patterns and clinical management interventions in a regional cancer setting |
| title_fullStr | Situational anxiety in head and neck cancer: Rates, patterns and clinical management interventions in a regional cancer setting |
| title_full_unstemmed | Situational anxiety in head and neck cancer: Rates, patterns and clinical management interventions in a regional cancer setting |
| title_short | Situational anxiety in head and neck cancer: Rates, patterns and clinical management interventions in a regional cancer setting |
| title_sort | situational anxiety in head and neck cancer rates patterns and clinical management interventions in a regional cancer setting |
| topic | Claustrophobia head and neck psychology |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/jmrs.736 |
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