The Effect of Group Education on Adaptive Behaviors and Caregiver Burden in Mothers of Children with Thalassemia Major: A Trial Clinical Study

Abstract

Background: Mothers of children with thalassemia major encounter numerous problems associated with treatment and care that often stem from the disease and lead to inappropriate coping behaviors, which impose an onerous burden on the caregiver. Thus, maintaining and promoting the mental health of these mothers and alleviating their care burden should be a health priority. Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the impact of group education on adaptive behaviors and care burden in mothers of children with thalassemia major. Methods: In this clinical trial, 70 mothers of children with thalassemia major were selected through convenience sampling and randomized into the intervention and control groups. The data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, the coping health inventory for parent (CHIP), and the Caregiver Burden scale (CBS). The subjects in the intervention group received four 120-min sessions of group education over four weeks and were followed up for a month. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS 22 and descriptive statistics, paired t-test, independent t-test, and chi-square test. All results below 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 70 subjects completed the study. The two groups were not significantly different in terms of demographic variables (gender, child’s age, ethnicity, mother’s age, mother’s education, economic status, number of children, and parents’ occupation). The mean score of adaptive behaviors in the intervention and control groups at baseline was 55.57 ± 18.75 and 58.57 ± 21.04, respectively. At the end of the study, this score changed to 83.68 ± 10.45 in the intervention group and 52.80 ± 17.46 in the control group, indicating the significant positive impact of group education (P < 0.001). On the other hand, the mean score of mothers’ care burden in the intervention and control groups was 54.60 ± 12.05 and 59.25 ± 13.34 at baseline, respectively; which changed to 41.28 ± 7.01 in the intervention group and 60.02 ± 13.19 in the control group after the experiment, suggesting the positive impact of group education on mitigating caregiver burden (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Group training focused on mothers’ involvement can improve their adaptive behaviors and reduce the burden resulting from caring for the patient. Nurses are recommended to employ this educational method to promote family involvement in health care.

The Effect of Education and Telephone Follow-up on the Burden of Family Caregivers of Patients With Cancer

“…A study by Belgacem et al (2013) in six oncology wards in French hospitals implemented an in-person educational program, reduced caregivers' burden, and promoted the quality of life of patients and caregivers (Belgacem et al, 2013). In a study by Biabani et al (2020) in Iran, four group education sessions for mothers provided care for children with thalassemia reduced their burden. They improved their adaptive behaviors (Biabani et al, 2020).…”

“…In a study by Biabani et al (2020) in Iran, four group education sessions for mothers provided care for children with thalassemia reduced their burden. They improved their adaptive behaviors (Biabani et al, 2020). In another study in Iran, four 30-min telephone counseling sessions reduced the caregiver burden of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (Gohari et al, 2022).…”

“…Indeed, each type of educational program may improve the engagement of patients, FCs, and professional caregivers in a triangular relationship which prevents caregivers’ burden and improves the care quality and the quality of life of patients and caregivers (Belgacem et al, 2013; Biabani et al, 2020).…”

Educational program effects on knowledge, attitude and performance of parents of thalassemia children: A quasi-experimental study

“…This sub-scale comprised 4 parts, including the nature of the disease with 4 items (1, 2, 3, 7), the treatment and care program with 7 items (6,8,9,10,11,12,14), the nutrition program with 2 items (13,15) and the prevention of disease 2 items (4, 5). The knowledge level ranges from 0-15.…”

Reducing care burden and improving adherence to health-promoting behaviors among family caregivers of patients with multiple sclerosis through a healthy lifestyle empowerment program

“…Based on various studies with different populations, it seems that one of the best methods to reduce CB and boost adherence to health-promoting behaviors (HPBs) in FCGs is education and rehabilitation programs [ 19 , 21 , 22 ]. The documented positive effect of educational programs for FCGs on patients’ functional improvement and their satisfaction as well as the possible influence of such primary caregivers on patients’ health outcomes are thus noticeable [ 23 ].…”