Anxiety at the first radiotherapy session for non-metastatic breast cancer: Key communication and communication-related predictors

作者：Lewis Florence; Merckaert Isabelle; Lienard Aurore; Libert Yves; Etienne Anne Marie; Reynaert Christine; Slachmuylder Jean Louis; Scalliet Pierre; Van Houtte Paul; Coucke Philippe; Salamon Emile; Razavi Darius^*

来源：Radiotherapy and Oncology, 2015, 114(1): 35-41.

DOI：10.1016/j.radonc.2014.07.017

• Cancer
• Anxiety
• Radiotherapy
• Distress
• Communication

Background and purpose: Patients may experience clinically relevant anxiety at their first radiotherapy (RT) sessions. To date, studies have not investigated during/around the RT simulation the key communication and communication-related predictors of this clinically relevant anxiety.
Material and methods: Breast cancer patients (n = 227) completed visual analog scale (VAS) assessments of anxiety before and after their first RT sessions. Clinically relevant anxiety was defined as having pre-and post-first RT session VAS scores >= 4 cm. Communication during RT simulation was assessed with content analysis software (LaComm), and communication-related variables around the RT simulation were assessed with questionnaires.
Results: Clinically relevant anxiety at the first RT session was predicted by lower self-efficacy to communicate with the RT team (OR = 0.65; p = 0.020), the perception of lower support received from the RT team (OR = 0.70; p = 0.020.), lower knowledge of RT-associated side effects (OR = 0.95; p = 0.057), and higher use of emotion-focused coping (OR = 1.09; p = 0.013).
Conclusions: This study provides RT team members with information about potential communication strategies, which may be used to reduce patient anxiety at the first RT session.

• 出版日期2015-1