Pre‐operative Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Coping Strategies Adopted by Patients Experiencing Their First or Recurrent Brain Neoplasm: An Explorative Study

Abstract

The main aims of this study were to evaluate the intensity of stress, anxiety and depression as well as the effectiveness of coping strategies adopted pre-operatively in brain neoplasm patients. A descriptive-explorative study design was undertaken. During 2008, patients admitted to a large Italian hospital neurosurgical unit with their first (n = 21) or recurrent (n = 15) brain neoplasm, on the day before their surgical procedure, were consecutively recruited into the study. The Perceived Stress Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Jalowiec Coping Scale were administered via face-to-face interview. Patients with their first occurrence of neoplasm perceived the same stress intensity as those with recurrent neoplasm (mean ± standard deviation: 14.9 ± 6.7 versus 17.2 ± 8.8, p = 0.36). They also reported the same likelihood of anxiety at a borderline level (odds ratio (OR) 4.88, 95%CI 0.42 to 40.97, p = 0.06) and at a clinically relevant level (OR 0.32, 95%CI 0.01 to 5.37, p = 0.35) as well as the same likelihood of depression at a borderline level (OR 1.25, 95%CI 0.20 to 8.40, p = 0.78). Only one case of clinically relevant depression emerged among patients at their first diagnosis. Patients at their first occurrence, as well as those at recurrence, reported that they adopted optimistic coping strategies (mean 2.20, 95%CI 2.01 to 2.38 versus mean 1.96, 95%CI 1.71 to 2.20) and sought support (mean 1.81, 95%CI 1.58 to 2.05 versus mean 1.89, 95%CI 1.63 to 2.15). According to the findings of this exploratory study, on the pre-operative day, brain neoplasm patients at their first diagnosis and at recurrence wish to confront the situation: they adopt optimistic coping strategies, they seek support and they wish to take a constructive problem-solving approach. Knowledge of the intensity of stress, anxiety and depression as well as the coping strategies adopted by the patients is important for clinicians in their efforts to tailor care to patients' individual needs.

The Influence of Resilience on the Coping Strategies in Patients with Primary Brain Tumors

“…Researches reveal that patients with brain tumor at their first diagnosis and at recurrence stage often use positive coping strategies; for example, they look for support and hope to employ problem-solving coping [4]. Patients most frequently use optimistic coping strategies to achieve less anxiety and better psychosocial well-being [5].…”

“…However, numerous patients use a negative pattern of thought which is deleterious for their emotional well-being [5]. For example, impaired physical functioning due to brain tumor may affect daily activities of living and ability to adopt effective coping strategies [4].…”

Patients’ experiences and care needs during the diagnostic phase of an integrated brain cancer pathway: A case study

“…The qualitative and quantitative literature on supportive care needs in patients with primary malignant brain tumour is continuously increasing, particularly with a focus on documenting the time immediately after diagnosis (Catt, Chalmers, & Fallowfield, ; Davies & Higginson, ; Ford, Catt, Chalmers, & Fallowfield, ; Moore et al., ; Sterckx et al., ). However, patients are likely to experience symptoms and feelings of anxiety already when being referred to hospital due to the suspicion of a primary malignant brain tumour (Goebel, Strenge, & Mehdorn, ; Palese, Cecconi, Moreale, & Skrap, ). Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to provide an in‐depth description of the patient experience and care needs during the hospital stay in the diagnostic phase of a brain cancer pathway.…”

Murottal Therapy To Anxiety Levels Of Patients Pre-Operative At Sari Mulia Hospital Banjarmasin

“…(2012). [8] Murottal therapy Al-Qur'an is a relaxation therapy, where therapy is like a sound wave that has the power to make people who listen to it feel relaxed even calm after listening. With P value of 0,000 ≤ 0,05.…”