A pilot randomized, controlled trial of the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention on family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer

• Published in: Oncology nursing forum Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. E63 - E72
• Main Authors: Leow, Mabel, Chan, Sally, Chan, Moon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Oncology Nursing Society 01.03.2015
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Aged; Cancer treatment; Caregivers - education; Caregivers - psychology; Communication; Compassion Fatigue - etiology; Compassion Fatigue - prevention & control; Compassion Fatigue - psychology; Culture; Depression - etiology; Depression - prevention & control; Depression - psychology; Emotions; Evaluation; Family Relations; Female; Health Education; Humans; Male; Medical research; Methods; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Nursing; Palliative Care - psychology; Pilot Projects; Precision medicine; Quality of Life; Reward; Self Efficacy; Singapore; Social Support; Stress, Psychological - etiology; Stress, Psychological - prevention & control; Stress, Psychological - psychology; Terminal Care - psychology; Young Adult; Singapore; family caregivers; home hospice care; psychoeducational intervention; palliative care
• ISSN: 0190-535X; 1538-0688
• DOI: 10.1188/15.ONF.E63-E72

To evaluate the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention, the Caring for the Caregiver Programme (CCP).
 A pilot randomized, controlled trial, two-group pretest, and repeated post-tests.
 Four home hospice organizations and an outpatient clinic in Singapore.
 80 caregivers were randomized into experimental and standard care groups.
 Outcomes were measured at baseline, week 4, and week 8 after the intervention. The standard care group received routine home hospice care, and the intervention group received the CCP in addition to routine care.
 Quality of life (QOL), social support, stress and depression, self-efficacy in self-care, closeness with the patient, rewards, and knowledge.
 Compared to the standard care group, the intervention group reported significantly higher QOL, social support satisfaction and number of supported people, closeness with the patient, self-efficacy in self-care, rewards of caregiving, and knowledge, and lower stress and depression. 
 The CCP had positive effects on family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer. 
 A psychoeducational intervention potentially could help caregivers cope with the demands of caregiving.