Cognitive Behavioural-Enhanced Swallowing Therapy (CB-EST)

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Development of a Cognitive Behavioural Enhanced Swallow Therapy (CB-EST) intervention

• IRAS ID

  154146

• Contact name

  Joanne Patterson

• Contact email

  joanne.patterson@ncl.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  City Hospitals Sunderland

• Research summary

  Survivors of head and neck cancer (HNC) are faced with major post-treatment challenges and changes to lifestyle. HNC treatment has a substantial impact on basic functions, the most common being difficulties with eating and drinking. Evidence for speech and language therapy interventions in this population has largely focused on exercises to increase the movement of the swallowing mechanism. HNC swallowing problems (dysphagia) are best understood as a multifactorial symptom, involving both biological and psychological processes. Approximately 50% of head and neck cancer patients have affective symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. We conducted a small series of focus groups to look at the psychosocial impact of dysphagia. Findings identified major changes to the way that individuals and their partners reacted to their swallowing problem cognitively, emotionally, behaviourally, and physiologically. This response system may serve to perpetuate poor eating and drinking performance.
  The evidence for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for problems such as social and health anxiety and depression is strong. Negative thoughts can lead to negative emotions and can result in negative behavioural coping strategies. All of these will impact on physiological responses, thus maintaining the problem. A model for HNC dysphagia would encompass a range of possible contributing biological and psychological factors that have been identified from our previous work. Synthesizing these perspectives within a multi-factorial CBT model not only enhances understanding of the nature of HNC dysphagia, but also offers the prospect of developing a CBT intervention (combined with a traditional approach of exercises) for improving this debilitating condition. This study aims to develop a cognitive behavioural enhanced swallowing therapy intervention CB-EST) for HNC patients with dysphagia.

• REC name

  North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  14/NE/1045

• Date of REC Opinion

  21 Jul 2014

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion