J E Brooker1, J M Fletcher1, M J Dally2, R J S Briggs3, V C Cousins4, G M Malham5, R J Kennedy6, R I Smee7, S Burney1. 1. School of Psychology and Psychiatry,Monash University,Melbourne,Australia. 2. William Buckland Radiotherapy Centre,Alfred Hospital,Melbourne,Australia. 3. Department of Otolaryngology,University of Melbourne,Melbourne, Victoria,Australia. 4. ENT-Otoneurology Unit,Alfred Hospital,Melbourne,Australia. 5. Cabrini Monash Psycho-oncology,Cabrini Institute,Cabrini Health, Melbourne,Australia. 6. Head and Neck/Ear Nose Throat Unit,St Vincent's Hospital,Melbourne, Victoria,Australia. 7. Department of Radiation Oncology,Prince of Wales Cancer Centre,Sydney, New South Wales,Australia.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological and functional impact attributed to acoustic neuroma symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 207 acoustic neuroma patients completed a study-specific questionnaire about the severity, frequency, and psychological and functional impact of 9 acoustic neuroma symptoms. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 56.4 per cent. All symptoms had some degree of psychological impact for the majority of participants; hearing loss was the symptom most often reported to have a severe psychological impact. The majority of respondents reported functional impact attributed to hearing loss, balance disturbance, dizziness, eye problems, headache and fatigue; balance disturbance was the symptom most often reported to have a severe functional impact. For most symptoms, psychological and functional impact were related to severity and frequency. CONCLUSION: Of the acoustic neuroma symptoms investigated, hearing loss and balance disturbance were the most likely to have a severe psychological and functional impact, respectively.
INTRODUCTION: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological and functional impact attributed to acoustic neuroma symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 207 acoustic neuromapatients completed a study-specific questionnaire about the severity, frequency, and psychological and functional impact of 9 acoustic neuroma symptoms. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 56.4 per cent. All symptoms had some degree of psychological impact for the majority of participants; hearing loss was the symptom most often reported to have a severe psychological impact. The majority of respondents reported functional impact attributed to hearing loss, balance disturbance, dizziness, eye problems, headache and fatigue; balance disturbance was the symptom most often reported to have a severe functional impact. For most symptoms, psychological and functional impact were related to severity and frequency. CONCLUSION: Of the acoustic neuroma symptoms investigated, hearing loss and balance disturbance were the most likely to have a severe psychological and functional impact, respectively.