Interdisciplinary Interventions to Address Pain Management Among Head and Neck Cancer Patients

This phase II trial compares different pain management interventions (standard of care \[SOC\], neurofeedback \[NFB\] training, and compassionate high alert team \[CHAT\]) in patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer who are at risk of developing non-medical opioid use (NMOU). The current standard treatment includes regular clinic visits and supportive care and counseling (including topics like patient-doctor communication, cancer care goals, financial issues counseling, and other topics). NFB training is a type of therapy that uses an electroencephalograph (EEG) and a computer software program to measure brain wave activity. The goal of NFB is to help teach patients with pain how to change their own brain waves to lower their feelings of pain and help improve their quality of life. CHAT is a supportive care intervention that includes symptom and pain management, counseling (about pain, symptoms, opioid use and safety, stress, and quality of life), and support for patients and their family members. NFB and CHAT may help to manage pain and lower patient use of opioids.

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of HNC, with patient scheduled to receive radiation therapy, with or without evidence of active disease * Willingness to be seen in the outpatient supportive care center (SCC) * History of use of non-medical opioid use (Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain \[SOAPP\] \>= 7+ and/or Cut Down, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye opener questionnaire \[CAGE\] \>= 2+) * Physician-estimated prognosis of at least 12 months * Age 18 or older * Able to complete study assessments * Willing to sign written informed consent * Both human papillomavirus (HPV) and non-HPV patients will be included * Patients currently receiving opioids for at least 1 week * Able to read, write and speak English Exclusion Criteria: * Individual with clinically evident impaired cognition by Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) score of \>= 13 * Employees of MD Anderson Cancer Center