Occurrence of claustrophobia in patients undergoing radiotherapy that require an immobilization mask

Nena Galunič; Barbara Petrovič; Andreja Cirila Škufca Smrdel; Valerija Žager Marciuš

doi:10.25670/oi2019-001on

Authors

Nena Galunič University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences
Barbara Petrovič University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences
Andreja Cirila Škufca Smrdel Institute of Oncology Ljubljana
Valerija Žager Marciuš Institute of Oncology Ljubljana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25670/oi2019-001on

Keywords:

radiotherapy, immobilization mask, anxiety, claustrophobia

Abstract

Uvod: Radioterapija je eden izmed učinkovitejših načinov zdravljenja raka. Postopek zdravljenja pa lahko povzroči občutek tesnobe oziroma klavstrofobijo, kar je posebej izrazito pri bolnikih, pri katerih se uporablja fiksacijska maska.
Namen: Ovrednotiti delež radioloških inženirjev, ki so se pri svojem delu v radioterapiji srečali s pojavom klavstrofobije zaradi uporabe fiksacijske maske pri bolnikih, in raziskati uporabljene ukrepe za njeno zmanjšanje.
Metode: V presečni raziskavi je bil uporabljen anketni vprašalnik. V raziskavi so sodelovali radiološki inženirji, ki pripravljajo bolnike s fiksacijskimi maskami na obsevanje ali jih obsevajo na obsevalnem aparatu.
Rezultati in razprava: Pri uporabi fiksacijske maske se je s klavstrofobijo pri bolnikih srečalo že 98,4 % radioloških inženirjev. V 87 % so bili radiološki inženirji na težave bolnikov vnaprej opozorjeni. Ob ugotovljenih znakih anksioznosti so bili najbolj učinkoviti ukrepi za ublažitev prijazen odnos do bolnikov, razumljiva razlaga postopka, razširjena odprtina za oči v maski in predvajanje glasbe med obsevanjem.
Zaključek: Glede na to, da panični napad pri klavstrofobičnih bolnikih lahko pomembno omeji njihovo sodelovanje pri zdravljenju z obsevanjem, sta pomembna prepoznavanje znakov anksioznosti ter uporaba primernih strategij za njihovo obvladovanje. V klinično prakso bi bilo smiselno vpeljati tudi različne tehnike sproščanja.

Abstract (Eng)

Introduction: Radiotherapy is one of the more efficient methods of treating cancer. During preparation for radiation therapy, certain patients are fitted with an immobilization mask. This can cause feelings of anxiety or claustrophobia.
Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the portion of radiographers that had met with claustrophobia in patients due to the use of an immobilization mask, as well as to investigate measures for reducing said claustrophobia.
Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, a questionnaire as a metric instrument was used. The participants were radiographers who worked with patients with immobilization masks, either during preparation for radiation therapy or during radiation therapy on a linear accelerator.
Results and discussion: Results show that 98.4 % of radiographers had met with claustrophobia in patients with an immobilization mask. In 87 %, they had previously been warned about the problems. Having identified signs of anxiety, the most effective measures for their mitigation were: friendly attitude towards patients, understandable explanation of the procedure, mask with larger eye holes and music during the irradiation.
Conclusion: Considering that a panic attack in claustrophobic patients can significantly limit their involvement in radiation therapy, it is important to recognize signs of anxiety and use strategies to control it. In clinical practice, it would be useful to introduce various relaxation techniques, also.