Pilot randomised controlled trial of a radiation therapist-led educational intervention for breast cancer patients prior to commencing radiotherapy
PURPOSE Although patients receive information prior to commencing radiotherapy, they often experience anxiety and distress. We conducted a pilot randomised controlled trial to determine whether a radiation therapist led psycho-educational intervention for breast cancer patients prior to radiotherapy...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
Springer
2013
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/26921 |
| _version_ | 1848752121997950976 |
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| author | Halkett, Georgia O'Connor, Moira Aranda, S. Jefford, M. Shaw, Therese York, D. Spry, Nigel Taylor, M. Schofield, P. |
| author_facet | Halkett, Georgia O'Connor, Moira Aranda, S. Jefford, M. Shaw, Therese York, D. Spry, Nigel Taylor, M. Schofield, P. |
| author_sort | Halkett, Georgia |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | PURPOSE Although patients receive information prior to commencing radiotherapy, they often experience anxiety and distress. We conducted a pilot randomised controlled trial to determine whether a radiation therapist led psycho-educational intervention for breast cancer patients prior to radiotherapy is likely to be effective in reducing radiotherapy-related concerns, patient anxiety and depression. METHODS The intervention comprised two face-to-face consultations with a radiation therapist (one prior to radiation planning and the other prior to treatment). Patients completed surveys at baseline, prior to treatment planning and on the first day of treatment. Outcome measures included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Radiation Therapy Related Patient Concerns and Radiation Therapy Knowledge Scales. RESULTS One hundred and twenty two patients completed baseline measures. Fifty-eight patients received usual care, and 64 received the intervention. After the first consultation, patient anxiety was significantly lower in the intervention group (p = 0.048), as were concerns about radiotherapy (p = 0.001). There were no differences between groups for depression. Patient knowledge for the intervention group was higher after the first consultation (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION This intervention is likely to be effective in reducing patient anxiety and concerns and increasing knowledge. Future research is required to test this intervention with a larger population. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:03:36Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-26921 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:03:36Z |
| publishDate | 2013 |
| publisher | Springer |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-269212017-09-13T16:07:46Z Pilot randomised controlled trial of a radiation therapist-led educational intervention for breast cancer patients prior to commencing radiotherapy Halkett, Georgia O'Connor, Moira Aranda, S. Jefford, M. Shaw, Therese York, D. Spry, Nigel Taylor, M. Schofield, P. PURPOSE Although patients receive information prior to commencing radiotherapy, they often experience anxiety and distress. We conducted a pilot randomised controlled trial to determine whether a radiation therapist led psycho-educational intervention for breast cancer patients prior to radiotherapy is likely to be effective in reducing radiotherapy-related concerns, patient anxiety and depression. METHODS The intervention comprised two face-to-face consultations with a radiation therapist (one prior to radiation planning and the other prior to treatment). Patients completed surveys at baseline, prior to treatment planning and on the first day of treatment. Outcome measures included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Radiation Therapy Related Patient Concerns and Radiation Therapy Knowledge Scales. RESULTS One hundred and twenty two patients completed baseline measures. Fifty-eight patients received usual care, and 64 received the intervention. After the first consultation, patient anxiety was significantly lower in the intervention group (p = 0.048), as were concerns about radiotherapy (p = 0.001). There were no differences between groups for depression. Patient knowledge for the intervention group was higher after the first consultation (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION This intervention is likely to be effective in reducing patient anxiety and concerns and increasing knowledge. Future research is required to test this intervention with a larger population. 2013 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/26921 10.1007/s00520-013-1719-5 Springer restricted |
| spellingShingle | Halkett, Georgia O'Connor, Moira Aranda, S. Jefford, M. Shaw, Therese York, D. Spry, Nigel Taylor, M. Schofield, P. Pilot randomised controlled trial of a radiation therapist-led educational intervention for breast cancer patients prior to commencing radiotherapy |
| title | Pilot randomised controlled trial of a radiation therapist-led educational intervention for breast cancer patients prior to commencing radiotherapy |
| title_full | Pilot randomised controlled trial of a radiation therapist-led educational intervention for breast cancer patients prior to commencing radiotherapy |
| title_fullStr | Pilot randomised controlled trial of a radiation therapist-led educational intervention for breast cancer patients prior to commencing radiotherapy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pilot randomised controlled trial of a radiation therapist-led educational intervention for breast cancer patients prior to commencing radiotherapy |
| title_short | Pilot randomised controlled trial of a radiation therapist-led educational intervention for breast cancer patients prior to commencing radiotherapy |
| title_sort | pilot randomised controlled trial of a radiation therapist-led educational intervention for breast cancer patients prior to commencing radiotherapy |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/26921 |