This study will evaluate whether a time-limited cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention in the post-treatment time period can address body image disturbance (BID) in patients with surgically-treated head and neck cancer (HNC), thereby improving BID and quality of life (QOL).
The investigators will complete a single-arm, phase II pilot study of time-limited CBT on BID in patients with surgically-treated HNC. Reliable, validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures of BID will be collected before, 1 month and 3 months after the CBT intervention to provide preliminary data on the effectiveness of CBT for BID in patients with surgically-treated HNC, addressing this critical knowledge gap. It is expected that time-limited CBT implemented in the post-treatment period will decrease BID and improve QOL in affected patients.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
11
self-limited cognitive behavioral therapy delivered weekly for 6 weeks via face-face delivery method
self-limited cognitive behavioral therapy delivered weekly for 6 weeks via tablet-based telemedicine platform
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Change in Body Image Disturbance
Change in body image disturbance will be measured using Body Image Scale (BIS) scores from before and 3 months after intervention. The BIS has been validated in oncology patients and is the most widely used scale for BID in oncology. It is a 10-item measure that is scored on a 4-point Likert scale; higher scores indicate greater body image dissatisfaction. It addresses the affective, cognitive, and emotional aspects of body image. There are no subscales.
Time frame: Prior to intervention until 3 months after completion of intervention
Change in Body Image Investment
Body image investment (i.e. the importance and influence of appearance) will be measured using the Appearance Schemas Inventory-Revised (ASI-R). This 20-item measure is scored using a 5-point Likert scale with greater scores indicating greater body image investment. There are no subscales.
Time frame: Prior to intervention until 3 months after completion of intervention.
Change in Body Image Coping Strategies
Change in Body Image Coping strategies will be measured using the Body Image Coping Strategies Inventory (BICSI), a validated measure used to assess cognitive and behavioral responses to manage threats to body image. The subscales are "Appearance Fixing" (10 specific items on the scale), "Avoidance" (8 specific items on the scale), and "Positive Rational Acceptance" (11 items on the scale). Each subscale score is calculated as the mean of the items within that subscale.
Time frame: Prior to intervention until 3 months after completion of intervention
Change in Quality of Life
We will employ the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ C30/H\&N35 module to evaluate quality of life (QOL). The EORTC quality of life questionnaire (QLQ) is an integrated system for assessing the health-related quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients participating in international clinical trials.
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Time frame: Prior to intervention until 3 months after completion of intervention