Acceptance and commitment therapy versus mindfulness-based stress reduction for newly diagnosed head and neck cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial assessing efficacy for positive psychology, depression, anxiety, and quality of life

Abstract

Background and aim Head and neck cancer patients are vulnerable to various psychological complications due to the effects of both cancer itself and cancer treatment on patients’ appearance and physical well-being. Nevertheless, few data have been obtained on effective psychosocial interventions that could protect this group of cancer patients’ psychological well-being. Therefore, this three-armed, parallel-group, double-blind, randomized control trial (RCT) aims to evaluate and compare the effects of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on positive psychology (such as posttraumatic growth [PTG], hope, and optimism), quality of life (QoL), and psychological complications (depression, anxiety, and experiential avoidance) among newly diagnosed head and neck cancer patients. Methods and analysis This RCT will target newly diagnosed head and neck cancer patients who have been treated only with surgery or who have not yet received any treatment. In total, 120 patients who meet all of the study’s inclusion criteria and none of its exclusion criteria will be randomly assigned into three groups—an ACT group, an MBSR group, and a treatment-as-usual control group—at a 1:1:1 allocation ratio. Participants in the two intervention groups (the ACT and MBSR groups) will undergo an eight-week group intervention program. During this program, each intervention will comprise eight modules based on ACT and MBSR, respectively. Outcome assessments will be performed across a three-point timeline, including before the intervention (t0), immediately after the psychosocial intervention at eight weeks (t1), and six months after the intervention (t2). The primary outcome that will be assessed during this RCT is PTG. Meanwhile, the secondary outcomes that will be evaluated in this study are such as QoL, hope, optimism, depression, anxiety, and experiential avoidance. Trial registration number NCT04800419 (ClinicalTrials.gov). Registered on March 16, 2021.

Posttraumatic Growth, Positive Psychology, Perceived Spousal Support, and Psychological Complications in Head and Neck Cancer: Evaluating Their Association in a Longitudinal Study

“…PTSSs exhibited a curvilinear relationship with PTG in cancer patients, in which PTSSs at milder severity increased PTG but as its severity increase further, PTG reduces (Shand et al, 2015). Again, overwhelming psychological distress may dissipate the cognitive processing and search for meaning out of the trauma of living with cancer and lead to failure to develop PTG (Zhang et al, 2022), as depicted in our finding.…”

“…In essence, it should be noted that not all HNC patients living with cancer will develop PTG. If the traumatic experience of living with cancer is too intense, it may disrupt the cognitive reprocessing of the traumatic event to search for meaning, hence reducing the likelihood of PTG occurrence (Zhang et al, 2022). Hence, psychosocial interventions which enhance the development of PTG are needed as part of the treatment regime for HNC patients.…”

Efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy on psychological rehabilitation in cancer patients treated with proton and heavy ion therapy:a non-randomized controlled trial

“…The difference compared with previous studies [52] is that the intervention leaders in our study are xed leaders who contacted with the patients from the beginning to the end of the session. Regular group leaders can increase the trust of team members.…”

Innovating Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Delivery in Cancer Care: Enhancing Accessibility and Engagement

“…This level of engagement is essential for experiencing the full benefits of MBSR. [47] Absence of severe psychiatric conditions While MBSR is beneficial for managing stress, anxiety, and mild to moderate depression, it may not be suitable for individuals with severe psychiatric conditions. Such conditions require specialized psychiatric care, and MBSR should not be seen as a substitute for these treatments.…”