Well-being and quality of life among oral cancer patients – Psychological vulnerability and coping responses upon entering initial treatment. Issue 9 (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bachmann, Anne Susann; Zaunbauer, Anna Christina; Tolke, Anna Maria; Siniatchkin, Michael; Kluck, Christoph; Wiltfang, Jörg; Hertrampf, Katrin
• Is Part Of: Journal of cranio-maxillofacial surgery. Volume 46:Issue 9(2018)
• Page Start: 1637
• Page End: 1644
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: Oral cancer -- Coping -- Quality of life -- Psychological vulnerability -- Feasibility; Skull -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Maxilla -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Face -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgery, Plastic -- Periodicals; Maxilla -- surgery -- Periodicals; Face -- surgery -- Periodicals; Skull -- surgery -- Periodicals; Oral Surgical Procedures -- Periodicals; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures -- Periodicals; Surgery, Plastic -- Periodicals; Surgery, Oral -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 617.514
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcms.2018.05.042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1010-5182

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Little is known about the psychological constitution and potential coping mechanisms of oral cancer patients when they enter initial treatment. This study aimed at 1) establishing a feasible study protocol and 2) implementing it to examine patients' coping and psychological responses during the initial treatment phase in the hospital. Methods: In three consecutive feasibility phases a study procedure including measurement time points and instrumentation as well as a patient recruitment strategy was developed. To assess patients' responses, the following qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (questionnaires) measures were applied: WOC-CA, briefCOPE, HADS, EORTCQlQC30- H&N35 and SAM/POMS. Results: Results revealed a highly burdened and distressed patient group that had not yet developed clear coping strategies. Further, one third of examined patients showed severe levels of anxiety and depression, indicating a high vulnerability to develop psychological disorders. Conclusion: At this early stage of oral cancer treatment, potential psychosocial interventions should prioritize addressing anxiety and depression to enable patients to develop functional coping strategies later on.