Aim: To observe the effect of audio-visual and pamphlet-based information upon the level of anxiety, depression, and stress among oral cancer (OC) and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) patients. Methods: Out of 190 OPMD and 187 OC patients, 184 OPMD and 184 OC patients were enrolled (9 were excluded) after taking the written informed consent from the outpatient clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Oncology departments of a reputed tertiary health care centre of northern India. Out of 184 OPMD and 184 OC patients, 60 each were given audio-visual intervention (group A), 64 each were administered with pamphlet intervention (group B), and 60 each were given conventional method and no intervention (controls, group C). Grouping was done by simple random sampling using the chit method. Using a blinded approach, Beck’s anxiety and depression inventory and Perceived Stress Scale questionnaires were applied in each pre and post-intervention group. Result: Within the group analysis, both groups (A and B) showed that during pre and post-intervention, there was a significant difference between anxiety, depression, and stress. But between the group analyses, there was no significant difference found for anxiety, depression, and stress. Conclusion: Our study concluded that both pamphlet and audio-visual based information are equally effective in alleviating anxiety, depression and stress. Both methods are also feasible in imparting information but more research is required to determine which information method is preferable. Moreover, it is recommended that both pamphlet and audio-visual based information should be provided in conjunction to improve the health literacy.
Khandpur et al. (Thu,) studied this question.