Lundin Erik, Axelsson Sofia, Ohlsson-Nevo Emma
Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
J Med Radiat Sci. 2025 Mar;72(1):74-84. doi: 10.1002/jmrs.825. Epub 2024 Sep 27.
In radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, a mask is used to immobilise the head and shoulders. An open mask that does not cover the face is expected to cause less anxiety, but there is need to further investigate the patients' experience of open versus closed masks. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate patient preferences for open or closed masks and whether an open mask can reduce discomfort and anxiety for patients.
Twenty participants were treated in alternating weeks using open and closed masks. Their distress was evaluated through semi-structured interviews and patient-reported outcome measures.
When using the open mask, it took longer to position the patient correctly. The closed mask felt more confining and could induce a sense of claustrophobia. Participants employed both internal and external strategies to cope with the stressful situation. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) showed a significant reduction in anxiety over time during the treatment period, but no significant difference between the masks. When participants chose which mask to use for the final treatments, 12 chose the open mask, while 8 chose the closed mask. In addition to the 20 analysed participants, two participants withdrew from the study because they could only tolerate the open mask, one due to anxiety and the other due to swelling.
The open mask seems to provide a less confined experience but may lead to greater difficulties in achieving the correct treatment position. While both masks can be viable options for most patients, some cannot tolerate closed masks but do tolerate open masks.
在头颈癌放疗中，会使用面罩来固定头部和肩部。预计不覆盖面部的开放式面罩会减少患者的焦虑，但仍需进一步研究患者对开放式和封闭式面罩的体验。因此，本研究的目的是评估患者对开放式或封闭式面罩的偏好，以及开放式面罩是否能减轻患者的不适和焦虑。
20名参与者每隔一周分别使用开放式和封闭式面罩进行治疗。通过半结构化访谈和患者报告的结局指标评估他们的痛苦程度。
使用开放式面罩时，将患者正确定位所需的时间更长。封闭式面罩感觉更束缚，可能会引发幽闭恐惧症。参与者采用内部和外部策略来应对压力情境。医院焦虑抑郁量表（HADS）显示，在治疗期间，焦虑情绪随时间显著降低，但两种面罩之间无显著差异。当参与者选择在最后治疗中使用哪种面罩时，12人选择了开放式面罩，8人选择了封闭式面罩。除了20名接受分析的参与者外，还有两名参与者退出了研究，其中一名因焦虑，另一名因肿胀，他们都只能耐受开放式面罩。
开放式面罩似乎能提供束缚感较小的体验，但可能在达到正确治疗位置方面带来更大困难。虽然两种面罩对大多数患者来说都是可行的选择，但有些患者无法耐受封闭式面罩，却能耐受开放式面罩。
