Enhancing quality of life and mastery of informal caregivers of high-grade glioma patients: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

High-grade gliomas (HGG) are serious primary brain tumors that may prevent the patient from functioning normally in social, emotional and cognitive respect. Often the partner's role will convert to that of informal caregiver. Consequently, they may experience significant stress and reductions in caregiver mastery, negatively affecting their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We aimed at (1) determining factors that impact HRQOL and mastery of caregivers of HGG patients, and (2) investigate if a structured intervention consisting of psychoeducation and cognitive behavioral therapy leads to improvements in the mental component of HRQOL and mastery of caregivers. Fifty-six patient-caregiver dyads were randomly assigned to the intervention group or the care as usual group. The intervention program consisted of six one-hour sessions with a psychologist. Participants completed questionnaires concerning their perceptions of the patients' HRQOL (SF-36), neurological functioning (BN20), and cognitive functioning (MOS), and concerning their own HRQOL (SF-36) and feelings of caregiver mastery (CMS) both at baseline (i.e. before randomization) and every 2 months thereafter until 8 months later, five times in total. Patients' HRQOL and neurological functioning were found to be related to HRQOL and feelings of mastery of the informal caregiver at baseline. The intervention helped caregivers in maintaining a stable level of HRQOL and improved feelings of mastery over an 8 month period. Our findings suggest that informal caregivers can benefit from a psychological intervention as it is a helpful tool in maintaining a stable level of mental functioning and caregiver mastery.

Coping with a newly diagnosed high-grade glioma: patient-caregiver dyad effects on quality of life

“…Combined cognitiverehabilitation and problem-solving therapy interventions for patients with brain tumors and their caregivers have reported positive findings [36]. Psychoeducation and cognitive behavioral therapy helped caregivers of HGG patients to maintain a stable QoL level [37]. Lucchiari et al [38] showed that brain cancer patients who were satisfied with the clinical decision process seemed to be better able to cope with their disease.…”

Predicting distress among people who care for patients living longer with high-grade malignant glioma

“…Psychoeducation and cognitive behavioural therapy trials have shown promising results in improving caregiver quality of life and a sense of mastery early in the illness trajectory [35], though it is unknown whether these measures have sustained benefits for caregivers of patients who live longer. It also remains unknown what supports, services and care models may reduce psychological distress and improve quality of life for both patients and caregivers in this longer term population.…”

The feasibility of a brain tumour website

“…This underscores the need for supporting health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with HGG and their caregivers (Boele et al, 2012). Despite the increasing evidence that patients with HGG have imminent and changing rehabilitative and supportive care needs (D'Angelo et al, 2008;Molassiotis et al, 2010;Sizoo et al, 2013;Walbert andKhan, 2014, Rooney et al, 2013;Halkett et al, 2010), only few rehabilitative and supportive care intervention studies have targeted this specific population and its caregivers (Piil et al, 2014b).…”