[Psychosocial aspects of ENT tumor surgery (excluding laryngectomy). 2: Analysis of empirical studies]

Abstract

The available literature on the psychosocial aspects of head and neck cancer surgery from 1950 to 1995 was reviewed in four parts. Part 2 is an analysis of 76 empirical studies. Many interesting but isolated findings were uncovered and almost no connecting theories or controversial discussions. Missing basic information and generally poor reliability and validity reduce the comparability of the studies to a low level. Investigations of certain topics are absent, such as the effect of antidepressants and tranquilizers or the influence of rehabilitative assistance by physiotherapists, speech-pathologists, nutritional counsellors, social workers, psychologists and family doctors.