Pain Related to Head and Neck Cancer (HNC); Implementation and Evaluation of Self-care Measure Due to the Same Illness

Linkoeping University62 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of individual education and individual self-care measures on pain intensity, perceived health, mood and sleep during and after treatment with radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Pain Head and Neck Cancer

Interventions

EducationBEHAVIORAL

Six education areas was offered: pain and pain physiology, pain medication, side effects and prevention of side effects, abuse of medications, sleep advice and advice on anxiety.

Self CareBEHAVIORAL

The following instructions on self-care for pain relief: apply ice or crushed ice in the oral cavity, lubricating and antiseptic mouth rinses, pain relieving gel, tongue movements and gaps exercises. Prevention of dryness in the mouth and throat; saliva stimulants and saliva substitute agents in different preparations, increased measures of good oral hygiene. Physical activities and regular rest once to several times per day. Sleep restriction and measures to treat sleep disorders.

Treatment as usual (TAU)OTHER

pharmacological treatment + advices

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: All HNC patients who went through RT and were referred to the Pain and Rehabilitation Centre at the University Hospital (Linköping, Sweden) were invited to participate in the study which run from January 2015 - March 2017. \- Exclusion Criteria: Non Swedish speaking individuals, severe social and/or psychological disorders, severe cognitive conditions,other serious medical conditions. \-

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Pain intensity

Pain intensity the actual day using a numeric rating scale.

Time frame: Change from baseline pain intensity at 20 weeks

Change in Pain Interference

Pain interference the actual day using a numeric rating scale

Time frame: Change from baseline pain interference at 20 weeks

Change in Perceived health index

Perceived health according to the index based on five dimensions of European Quality of Life instrument (EQ-5D index)

Time frame: Change from baseline EQ-5D index at 20 weeks

Change in Perceived health scale

Perceived health according to the visual analgue scale of European Quality of Life instrument (EQ-VAS)

Time frame: Change from baseline EQ-VAS at 20 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Change in depression

Depression scale of Hospital and Depression Scale (HADS)

Time frame: Change from baseline depression at 20 weeks

Change in anxiety

Anxiety scale of Hospital and Depression Scale (HADS)

Time frame: Change from baseline anxiety at 20 weeks

Change in catastrophizing

Total score of Pain Catastrophizing scale

Time frame: Change from baseline catastrophizing at 20 weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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