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Updated: Jul 17, 2025

Investigating Stress-relaxation and Failure Responses in the Trachea
Published on: October 18, 2022
Post-Traumatic Distress and Symptom Experience in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer-Related Tracheostomy and Family
Tongyao Wang1, Susan R Mazanec1, Nicholas K Schiltz1
1Case Western Reserve University.
Objectives:
To describe post-traumatic distress and identify associated factors in patients with head and neck cancer-related tracheostomy and their family caregivers.
Sample & Setting:
This observational study assessed 22 patients with surgically managed head and neck cancer-related tracheostomy and 17 family caregivers at a comprehensive cancer center.
Methods & Variables:
Instruments included the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Depression 6a Short Form scale.
Results:
Post-traumatic distress related to tracheostomy and general depression in patients and family caregivers was highly prevalent. An increased level of physical symptoms was moderately correlated with higher levels of post-traumatic distress.
Implications For Nursing:
Patients who experienced higher symptom burden may also suffer from post-traumatic distress related to tracheostomy. Oncology nurses can implement post-traumatic distress screening in patients and their family caregivers.
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