A randomized clinical trial of a videotape intervention for women with chemotherapy-induced alopecia: a gynecologic oncology group study.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To evaluate changes in body image and self-esteem in women with gynecologic malignancies who experience chemotherapy-induced alopecia and to examine the effectiveness of a videotape intervention on body image and self-esteem. DESIGN A prospective, randomized study. SETTING Subjects were accrued from 11 Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) member institutions participating in 14 GOG treatment protocols. SAMPLE 136 women with chemotherapy-induced alopecia, a mean age of 57.7 years, and advanced disease at study entry. METHODS Prior to the first course of chemotherapy, all subjects received standard counseling regarding hair loss. Body image and self-esteem scores were obtained prior to course 1 and 3 and after course 4 of chemotherapy. Prior to course 3, women with grade 2 alopecia were allocated randomly to the videotape intervention or no intervention. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Total body image and self-esteem as measured by the Body Cathexis/Self-Cathexis Scale (BCSCS). FINDINGS A small but statistically significant change (p = 0.045) in body image was observed after chemotherapy-induced alopecia, with no change in self-esteem. The videotape did not produce a significant effect on body image score. CONCLUSIONS The study results support prior studies that have reported changes in body image as a result of chemotherapy-induced alopecia. The intervention employed (a videotape) was not effective. The BCSCS is a simple and quick measurement for use in future studies IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Chemotherapy-induced alopecia has an adverse effect on body image. Novel interventions are needed to assist women in coping with this consequence of treatment.