Spousal Support in Head and Neck Cancer
Spousal Support in Head and Neck Cancer
The goal of this research study is to look at social and relationship factors that may affect
 the quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer and their spouses.
If you agree to take part in this study, you first fill out a questionnaire, which will take
 about 1 hour. You will also have a study visit with your spouse, where you and your spouse
 will fill out several questionnaires, have a videotaped discussion, and complete tasks on the
 computer. This study visit will last about 75 minutes.

 Health and Relationship Questionnaire:

 On Day 1 you will be given a questionnaire about your health and your relationship with your
 spouse. This will be before you begin treatment. You may complete the questionnaire while
 waiting for your clinic appointment, or you may take it home, complete it, and return it by
 mail. It will take about 60 minutes to complete.

 If you agree to take part in this study, your spouse will also be asked to take part. If your
 spouse does not wish to take part, your participation in this study will be over after you
 complete the questionnaire.

 Study Visit:

 During the first 2 weeks after you start treatment, you and your spouse will come to the
 clinic together for a study visit. The visit will take about 75 minutes. For all of the
 procedures at this visit, you and your spouse will be in the same room together. A study
 staff member will also be in the room, except for during the videotaped discussions. The
 following procedures will be performed at the study visit:

 -  You will complete a questionnaire that asks you to identify one instance where you felt
 supported by your spouse since the cancer diagnosis, and one issue that has caused
 conflict with your spouse since the cancer diagnosis. You will also complete a
 questionnaire about your mood. Your spouse will complete the same questionnaires. This
 will take about 10-15 minutes.

 -  You and your spouse will take part in a videotaped discussion. You will discuss the
 topic you identified as an instance where you felt supported by your spouse since the
 cancer diagnosis. Your spouse will also discuss the topic he/she identified as an
 instance where he/she felt supported by you since the cancer diagnosis. This will take
 about 10-15 minutes.

 -  After the discussion, you and your spouse will be asked to complete a cognitive
 (thinking) task, on separate computers. Words in different colors will appear on the
 computer screen. The goal of the task is to name the color of the words, as quickly as
 possible. It will take about 5 minutes to complete the task.

 -  After the cognitive task, you and your spouse will complete separate questionnaires that
 will ask questions about the discussion and how you feel about it. This will take about
 5-10 minutes.

 -  You and your spouse will take part in another videotaped discussion. This time, you will
 discuss the topic you identified as causing conflict with your spouse since the cancer
 diagnosis. Your spouse will also discuss the topic he/she identified as causing conflict
 since the cancer diagnosis. It will take about 10-15 minutes.

 -  After the discussion, you and your spouse will repeat the same cognitive task. It will
 again be on separate computers and will take about 5 minutes.

 -  After the cognitive task, you and your spouse will complete separate questionnaires that
 will ask questions about the discussion and how you feel about it. This will take about
 5-10 minutes.

 -  At the conclusion of the study visit, you will have the option to view the videotape of
 your discussion with your spouse. If, after viewing your videotape you decide for any
 reason that you do not want it to be used for research, the tape will be destroyed.

 Follow-Up Questionnaire:

 You will complete the Health and Relationship questionnaire 2 more times.

 If possible, you will complete this questionnaire while you are at the clinic for your
 regularly scheduled follow-up visits that will occur 4 months and 12 months after you
 complete your radiation treatment. Otherwise, if your appointment is not on the same schedule
 as this study's questionnaire schedule, you will receive the questionnaire by mail and you
 should mail it back to the study staff.

 Information Collection:

 During the course of this study, a study staff member will review your medical records to
 collect medical information such as your diagnosis and health history.

 Length of Study:

 After you complete the last questionnaire (Month 12), your participation in this study will
 be over.

 This is an investigational study. For any questionnaires that you are asked to return by
 mail, you will be provided stamped envelopes.

 Up to 452 participants (226 patients and 226 spouses) will take part in this study. All will
 be enrolled at MD Anderson.
Inclusion Criteria:

 1. Part 2. Patient is initiating radiation therapy for newly diagnosed head and neck
 cancer

 2. Part 2. Patient has an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of
 2 or less

 3. Part 2. Patient has a spouse or significant other with whom he/she resides

 4. Part 2. Patient is able to vocalize well enough to complete the spousal interaction
 task

 5. Parts 1 and 2. Patient and spouse are able to read and speak English

 6. Parts 1 and 2. Patient and spouse are able to provide informed consent

 7. Parts 1 and 2. Patient and spouse are at least 18 years of age

 8. Part 1. Individual is a patient who was diagnosed with head and neck cancer or the
 spouse or partner of an patient who was diagnosed with head and neck cancer and
 resides with the patient.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 1) None