Search

Objective: To compare the levels of social support, physical function, and social-emotional function between oral cavity cancer survivors who did or did not resume work 6 months or longer after treatment completion.Methods: This cross-sectional study examined survivors of oral cavity cancer who were treated at the outpatient radiation department of a medical center in Northern Taiwan. Questionnaires were used to collect data regarding perceived social support, physical function, social-emotional function, and return to work status after treatment. Logistic regression was conducted to determine factors related to returning to work.Results: We examined 174 survivors of oral cavity cancer, 55.2% of whom returned to work after treatment. Relative to survivors who returned to work, those who did not return to work reported needing greater tangible social support, having fewer positive social interactions, having poorer physical function, and having poorer social-emotional function. Multivariable analysis indicated that younger age (OR = 0.864, P < .05), higher family income (OR = 10.835, P < .05), sufficient tangible social support (OR = 0.943, P < .05), positive social interaction (OR = 1.025, P < .05), and better physical function (OR = 1.062, P < .05) were significantly associated with the return to work.Conclusions: Survivors of oral cavity cancer who did not return to work had worse physical and social-emotional function and required more tangible social support and positive social interactions. Providing occupational rehabilitation and counseling for oral cavity cancer survivors may help them return to work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study of survivors of head and neck cancer was to evaluate the effects of a behavior change program and health education on depression, fear of social interactions, avoidance of social interactions, physical function, and social-emotional function.Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial of 100 subjects, in which changes in the scores of several psychometric scales were recorded for an experimental group (behavior change program and health education) and a control group (routine care only). Assessments were performed at baseline (T0), and at 1 month (T1), 2 months (T2), and 3 months (T3) after completing the intervention.Results: After the intervention, the experimental group reported significantly less fear of social interactions, less avoidance of social interactions, and better physical function than the control group. The experimental group also had less depression at T3 than at T0, although there was no such change in the control group. Analysis of physical function indicated that both groups experienced improvements from T0 to T1, slight declines from T1 to T2, and slight declines from T2 to T3; however, both groups had significantly better physical function at T3 than at T0.Conclusions: Head and neck cancer patients who received a behavior change program and health education reported less fear of social interactions, less avoidance of social interactions, and improved physical function during the 3 months after this intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study aimed to examine changes in physical symptom severity, functional status, supportive care needs, and related factors in oral cavity cancer patients during 6 months after beginning radiation therapy (RT) or concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CCRT). Methods A prospective longitudinal study was conducted involving oral cavity cancer patients from an RT clinic at a medical center in northern Taiwan. Patients were assessed for supportive care needs and physical symptoms at five time points: before the beginning of RT or CCRT and at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after beginning RT or CCRT. The generalized estimating equation was used to identify predictors of overall needs as well as six specific dimensions of needs. Results A total of 82 patients completed the 6 months of follow-up. Patients had moderate to high levels of supportive care needs over the 6 months. Although the highest information need was at the pretreatment phase, in general, the peak for overall and individual care needs was at 2 months since first receiving RT or CCRT. Patients without religious beliefs as well as those with higher educational level, functional level, overall physical symptom severity, and baseline anxiety reported more supportive care needs. Anxiety level before treatment was the most common factor across most supportive care needs. Individual physical symptoms, including fatigue, swallowing difficulty, and oral mucositis, were significantly related to higher physical and daily living needs. Conclusions A systematic clinical assessment to detect patients' care needs is necessary to improve the provision of timely cancer care and meet patients' healthcare needs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]