Oncology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Oncology, including details on cancer, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy.

A randomized clinical trial of a videotape intervention for women with chemotherapy-induced alopecia: a gynecologic oncology group study.

Nolte S, Donnelly J, Kelly S, Conley P, Cobb R

Rosenfeld Cancer Center, Abington Memorial Hospital, Pennsylvania, USA. snolte@amh.org

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate changes in body image and self-esteem in women with gynecologic malignancies who experience chemotherapy-induced alopecia and to examine the effectiveness of a videotape intervention on body image and self-esteem. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized study. SETTING: Subjects were accrued from 11 Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) member institutions participating in 14 GOG treatment protocols. SAMPLE: 136 women with chemotherapy-induced alopecia, a mean age of 57.7 years, and advanced disease at study entry. METHODS: Prior to the first course of chemotherapy, all subjects received standard counseling regarding hair loss. Body image and self-esteem scores were obtained prior to course 1 and 3 and after course 4 of chemotherapy. Prior to course 3, women with grade 2 alopecia were allocated randomly to the videotape intervention or no intervention. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Total body image and self-esteem as measured by the Body Cathexis/Self-Cathexis Scale (BCSCS). FINDINGS: A small but statistically significant change (p = 0.045) in body image was observed after chemotherapy-induced alopecia, with no change in self-esteem. The videotape did not produce a significant effect on body image score. CONCLUSIONS: The study results support prior studies that have reported changes in body image as a result of chemotherapy-induced alopecia. The intervention employed (a videotape) was not effective. The BCSCS is a simple and quick measurement for use in future studies IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Chemotherapy-induced alopecia has an adverse effect on body image. Novel interventions are needed to assist women in coping with this consequence of treatment.

Published 6 March 2006 in Oncol Nurs Forum, 33(2): 305-11.
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