Effect of Guided Imagery for Radiotherapy-Related Distress in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Effect of Guided Imagery for Radiotherapy-Related Distress: A Randomized, Controlled Trial for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

The goal of this interdisciplinary pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a guided imagery intervention to reduce radiotherapy-related symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with head and neck cancers relative to treatment as usual.

The goal of this interdisciplinary pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a guided imagery intervention to reduce radiotherapy-related symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with head and neck cancers relative to treatment as usual. Treatment as usual contains no psychological interventions to aid in distress, however participants will have access to the psychosocial supports at the cancer center available to all patients. Patients will be randomized to either condition, and surveys of their well-being will be conducted throughout the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Provision to sign and date the consent form.
2. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study.
3. Be aged 18 - 100.
4. Ability to read and communicate in English.
5. A confirmed malignancy of the head and neck region (including metastases from other primary tumors and cancers of unknown primary.
6. Initiation of RT at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.
7. Psychiatric and cognitive stability as assessed by chart review (i.e., no documented dementia diagnosis or unmanaged psychiatric symptoms) and study personnel (i.e., ability to attend to meeting with study personnel).
8. Ability to meet remotely via internet connection or over the phone.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any individual who does not meet the inclusion criteria.
2. Those who are determined, by mental health professionals, to be psychiatrically unstable.