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Supportive Care in Cancer

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01-01-2013 | Original Article

Feasibility of EASE: a psychosocial program to improve symptom management in head and neck cancer patients

Authors: Kristin M. Kilbourn, Derek Anderson, Allison Costenaro, Kate Lusczakoski, Evelinn Borrayo, David Raben

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Purpose

Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients experience multiple physical and psychosocial symptoms associated with their cancer treatment. The Easing and Alleviating Symptoms during Treatment (EASE) study utilized a mixed methods design to examine the feasibility of a tailored telephone-based coping and stress management intervention to improve symptom management and psychosocial care among HNC patients.

Methods

An Embedded Correlational Mixed Methods Design was utilized to answer two research questions: (1) is the EASE intervention feasible? and (2) Did EASE participants report improvements in psychosocial outcomes after completion of the EASE intervention? HNC patients were assessed at baseline and 3 months. Psychosocial measures included cancer-specific distress, pain, social support, and quality of life. Project records and exit interviews were conducted to assess acceptability and satisfaction with the intervention.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 60 years (SD = 9.5), 76 % were male, 47 % married/partnered, and 57 % had a history of tobacco use. Of the 24 participants who were enrolled, 16 completed the intervention. Participants and telephone counselors reported high levels of satisfaction. Although the small sample size and lack of a control group limit our ability to assess the efficacy of the intervention, our findings suggest that the intervention helped to buffer the negative emotional and physical impact of cancer treatment.

Conclusions

This pilot study demonstrated that the EASE intervention is feasible and acceptable to HNC cancer patients undergoing treatment. The study findings revealed some challenges of implementing a psychosocial intervention in HNC patients and inform future intervention studies with this population.

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Title: Feasibility of EASE: a psychosocial program to improve symptom management in head and neck cancer patients
Authors: Kristin M. Kilbourn
Derek Anderson
Allison Costenaro
Kate Lusczakoski
Evelinn Borrayo
David Raben
Publication date: 01-01-2013
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1510-z

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