A Web-based Multimedia Intervention for Head and Neck Cancer Patients

描述（由申请人提供）：头颈部鳞状细胞癌（HNSCC）的治疗通常会导致相当大的功能障碍。因此，HNSCC患者的生活质量显著下降，情绪困扰程度高，人际关系恶化，社会孤立增加。研究表明，心理教育干预可以提高生活质量，减少痛苦，并加强应对各种癌症人群的癌症。然而，很少有干预方案已开发的HNSCC患者。因此，为HNSCC患者制定适当的心理教育干预措施将解决这一患者人群的重大需求。然而，由于癌症和癌症治疗对面部外观和说话能力的影响，面对面提供的心理教育干预可能对一些HNSCC患者不太有吸引力，这些患者可能由于社交焦虑或感到耻辱而不愿意或不愿意参与社交互动。小组设置和面对面的互动可能会导致HNSCC患者的高水平社交焦虑，特别是那些经历说话问题的患者。因此，基于网络的多媒体干预措施可能是一个有吸引力的选择，以有效，实用和可接受的格式向这一人群提供关键信息。因此，拟议的第一阶段项目的目标是开发一个原型的基于网络的多媒体干预HNSCC患者。该项目的具体目标是：1）开发一个基于网络的多媒体程序原型，其中包含四个主题领域的信息，包括：头颈癌及其治疗;吞咽和口腔护理的潜在变化;言语的潜在变化;以及应对癌症;以及2）在45名HNSCC患者和5名医疗保健专业人员中评估基于网络的原型程序的可接受性和满意度。如果成功的话，将在第二阶段创建一个经过修订的完整原型，然后将评估这种基于网络的干预措施在提高生活质量方面的有效性。拟议的项目解决了一个显着的需要，在一个研究不足的癌症患者群体，遭受相当大的损害，在心理和身体功能。建议的第一阶段项目的结果将用作第二阶段申请的初步数据，以进行一项随机对照试验，以评估基于网络的干预措施在改善HNSCC患者的生活质量和心理适应方面的功效。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) often confers considerable functional impairment. As a result, HNSCC patients experience significant decrements in quality of life, high levels of emotional distress, deteriorations in interpersonal relations, and increased social isolation. Studies suggest that psychoeducational interventions can improve quality of life, reduce distress, and enhance coping with cancer in various cancer populations. However, few intervention programs have been developed for HNSCC patients. As such, the development of appropriate psychoeducational interventions for HNSCC patients would address a significant need in this patient population. However, due to the effects of cancer and cancer treatment on facial appearance and speaking ability, psychoeducational interventions that are delivered in-person may be less appealing to some HNSCC patients who may be reluctant or unwilling to engage in social interactions due to social anxiety or feeling stigmatized. Group settings and face-to-face interactions can contribute to high levels of social anxiety among HNSCC patients, particularly those who experience problems with speaking. Hence, web-based multimedia interventions may represent an appealing option for delivering key information to this population in an efficacious, practical and acceptable format. Therefore, the goal of the proposed Phase I project is to develop a prototype web-based multimedia intervention for HNSCC patients. The specific aims of the project are to: 1) Develop a prototype web-based multimedia program that incorporates information in four topic areas, including: Head and Neck Cancer and its Treatment; Potential Changes in Swallowing and Oral Care; Potential Changes in Speech; and Coping with Cancer; and 2) Evaluate acceptability and satisfaction with the prototype web-based program among 45 HNSCC patients and 5 healthcare professionals. If successful, a revised and complete prototype will be created in Phase II, and the effectiveness of this web-based intervention in enhancing quality of life will then be evaluated. The proposed project addresses a significant need in an understudied cancer patient population that suffers considerable impairment in psychosocial and physical functioning. Findings from the proposed Phase I project will be used as preliminary data for a Phase II application to conduct a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of the web-based intervention in improving quality of life and psychological adjustment among HNSCC patients.