Abstract
BACKGROUND: Approximately 30% of patients with head and neck cancer experience adverse effects caused by anxiety and depression. Considering the high prevalence, implementing customized interventions to ease adverse emotional states is imperative. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based psychological interventions in improving the psychological well-being and quality of life (QoL) of patients with laryngeal carcinoma. METHODS: This study enrolled 120 patients admitted from February 2022 to February 2024. The control group, comprising 50 participants, received standard supportive psychological care, while the research group, consisting 70 participants, underwent CBT-based interventions. Several clinical outcomes were systematically assessed that included postoperative recovery metrics (duration of tracheostomy and nasogastric tube dependence and length of hospitalization), psychological status (Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale), nutritional markers (serum albumin and hemoglobin levels), sleep quality (Self-Rating Scale of Sleep and Athens Insomnia Scale), and QoL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck). RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the research group experienced superior outcomes, with significantly reduced durations of tracheostomy and nasogastric tube dependence, as well as shorter hospital stays, compared with the control group. Additionally, the research group exhibited markedly lower post-intervention Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, Self-Rating Scale of Sleep, and Athens Insomnia Scale scores, along with minimal but higher change in serum albumin and hemoglobin levels compared with the control group. All five domains of Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck showed notable improvements in the research group, exceeding those observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: CBT-based psychological support positively affects the mental well-being and QoL of patients with laryngeal carcinoma, highlighting its potential for broader clinical application.