title: A prospective patient-focused evaluation of the tolerance and acceptability of a stereotactic radiosurgery procedure.
abstract: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a frequently used non-surgical procedure to treat benign and malignant brain lesions. Few studies have focused on patient perceptions of SRS. The aims of this patient-focused study were to assess patient experiences of SRS, and changes in patient-reported symptoms over 12weeks post-SRS. Using the 6-point Likert Scoring Scale in a diary-format for a less discriminatory evaluation, patients self-reported presence or absence, and severity of physical and psychological symptoms within 24h, 1-week, and 12-weeks post-SRS. Non-parametric repeated measures ANOVA was used to evaluate changes in symptoms. Of the 748 recruited patients, 690 returned the first diary (92%), while 564 patients returned all three diaries for matched responses analysis (82%). Three-quarters of 690 patients reported receiving clear verbal explanations and printed material prior to their procedure, and 99% reported the clinical team were 'very supportive' or gave 'wonderful care'. Fatigue (82%) and headaches (65%) were the most frequently reported symptoms within 24-h post-SRS. Over 12weeks, patients reported significant reductions in headache, nausea, fatigue, anxiety and tension (p<0.001); loss of balance and concentration significantly increased by 12-weeks post-SRS (p<0.001). Some patients attributed symptoms such as fatigue or headaches to the demands of the procedure day. Findings of this study reflect the need to further research patients' physical and psychological symptoms post-SRS, which may differ from the clinicians' perception of the effects of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, The Prince of Wales Cancer Centre, High St, Randwick, New South Wales 2031, Australia; UNSW Clinical Teaching School, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales 2031, Australia. Electronic address: janet.williams@health.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: Janet R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, The Prince of Wales Cancer Centre, High St, Randwick, New South Wales 2031, Australia.
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Venchiarutti
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, The Prince of Wales Cancer Centre, High St, Randwick, New South Wales 2031, Australia; UNSW Clinical Teaching School, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales 2031, Australia; Tamworth Base Hospital, Tamworth, New South Wales 2340, Australia.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000209:etiology; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000592:standards*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards
keywords: Brain lesion; Brain metastases; Neurologic symptoms; Patient experience; Stereotactic radiosurgery; Treatment side-effects