Acceptance and commitment therapy versus mindfulness-based stress reduction for newly diagnosed head and neck cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial assessing efficacy for positive psychology, depression, anxiety, and quality of life

Smoking and alcohol habits in head and neck cancers: How many patients stop after diagnosis?

BACKGROUND

Smoking and alcohol are the main risk factors for head and neck cancer. Despite the significant psychological impact, many patients continue to smoke and drink alcohol after diagnosis of cancer. This study aims to analyze the patients' behavior post diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer.

METHODS

An observational retrospective study was conducted on patients suffering from head and neck cancer. Their smoking and alcohol habits before and after diagnosis of cancer were studied.

RESULTS

A total of 85 patients were recruited: 80 % males, mean age 61.77±9.30 years. Among smokers, 35.80 % continued smoking post-diagnosis. A statistically significant correlation was found between smoking habit after diagnosis of cancer and type of treatment and tracheostomy. Among drinkers, 65.52 % continued to consume alcohol after diagnosis of cancer. A statistically significant correlation was found between alcohol consumption post-diagnosis and sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing more invasive treatments are more likely to quit smoking and/or drinking alcohol, suggesting the strong psychological impact of cancer and its therapy. Many patients continue smoking and consuming alcohol due to unawareness, depression, or addiction. However, most patients reduced cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. Comprehensive care, including psychological support, is essential for these patients.

Effects of different intervention methods on psychological flexibility, negative emotions and sleep quality in chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) experience various problems, including low psychological flexibility, negative emotions, and poor sleep quality. Therefore, effective nursing interventions are required to reduce adverse events. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) combined with enabling cognitive-behavioral education (ECBE) can improve patients' psychological and sleep. Therefore, we speculate that this may also be effective in patients with CHB.

AIM

To investigate the effects of different intervention methods on psychological flexibility, negative emotions, and sleep quality in patients with CHB.

METHODS

This retrospective study examined clinical and evaluation data of 129 patients with CHB. Intervention methods were divided into a conventional group (routine nursing, n = 69) and a combination group (ACT combined with ECBE, n = 60). We observed changes in psychological flexibility, negative emotions, sleep quality, and self-care ability in both groups. Observation items were evaluated using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-2nd Edition (AAQ-II), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale (ESCA).

RESULTS

Compared with the conventional group, the AAQ-II score of the combined group was lower (Fbetween-group effect = 8.548; Ftime effects = 25.020; Finteraction effects = 52.930; all P < 0.001), the SAS score (t = 5.445) and SDS score (t = 7.076) were lower (all P < 0.001), as were the PSQI dimensions (tsleep quality = 4.581, tfall sleep time = 2.826, tsleep time = 2.436, tsleep efficiency = 5.787, tsleep disorder = 5.008, thypnotic drugs = 3.786, tdaytime dysfunction = 4.812); all P < 0.05). The ESCA scores for all dimensions were higher (thealth knowledge level = 6.994, tself-concept = 5.902, tself-responsibility = 19.820, tself-care skills = 8.470; all P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

ACT combined with ECBE in patients with CHB can improve psychological flexibility and sleep quality, alleviate negative emotions, and improve self-care.

Emerging Concepts Impacting Head and Neck Cancer Surgery Morbidity

All treatment modalities for head and neck cancer carry with them a risk of adverse events. Head and neck surgeons are faced with significant challenges to minimize associated morbidity and manage its sequelae. Recognizing situations in which a surgical complication is an adverse event inherent to the procedure can alleviate the psychologic impact a complication might have on the treatment team and minimize external and internal pressures. Focusing on the complications that can be effectively modified, future complications can be avoided. Also, some surgical morbidities may not be preventable, necessitating the option to reconsider whether the incidents should be labeled toxic reactions rather than a complication. This discussion highlights some of the areas in which additional research is needed to achieve the goal of minimizing the impact of surgical morbidity.

Posttraumatic Growth, Positive Psychology, Perceived Spousal Support, and Psychological Complications in Head and Neck Cancer: Evaluating Their Association in a Longitudinal Study

Despite head and neck cancer (HNC) association with various negative impacts, collective evidence is accumulating regarding the positive impacts of positive psychology on cancer survivors. However, data on how positive psychology is related to the psychological complications of HNC across time are lacking. This longitudinal study examined the trends of positive psychology (e.g., posttraumatic growth [PTG], hope, and optimism), perceived spousal support, and psychological complications (e.g., depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms) and determined the association between them, psychological complications, and PTG across two timelines among a cohort of HNC patients. A total of 175 HNC respondents exhibited an increasing trend of positive psychology and perceived spousal support while reporting a decreasing trend of psychological complications between baseline and follow-up assessments. A greater degree of hope and perceived spousal support contributed to a higher degree of PTG across time. Conversely, a higher severity of anxiety symptoms was associated with a lower degree of PTG over time. Female gender had a moderating effect on the association between severity of anxiety symptoms and PTG, but did not moderate the association between hope, perceived spousal support and PTG. This study indicates the pivotal role of incorporating psychosocial interventions into the treatment regimen to enhance the degree of hope and perceived spousal support and reduce the severity of anxiety symptoms, which, in turn, will facilitate the development of PTG in HNC patients.