The “PalliActive Caregivers” Intervention for Caregivers of Patients With Cancer in Palliative Care

Abstract

This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility and possible effects of the “PalliActive Caregivers,” nursing intervention, on the uncertainty in illness and quality of life of family caregivers of patients with cancer receiving palliative care. This pilot study used a randomized controlled design. The participants were 80 family caregivers. The experimental group received the novel “PalliActive Caregivers” intervention. Data were collected using a sociodemographic form, the Uncertainty in Illness Scale, the Quality of Life scale, and an Intervention satisfaction questionnaire. The caregivers who received the intervention “PalliActive Caregivers” reported a high degree of satisfaction (9.74 on a 10-point scale). The intervention showed a significant decrease in uncertainty regarding illness in the experimental group (P = .009), as well as a significant decrease in the psychological well-being of quality of life within the experimental and control groups, before and after the intervention (P = .013, P = .010). It is recommended that future studies using the “PalliActive Caregivers” intervention examine the effects on other variables such as the burden of patient's symptoms, caregiver burden and rewards, self-efficacy in symptom management, competence, unmet needs, and satisfaction with care.

Interventions to improve outcomes for caregivers of patients with advanced cancer: a meta-analysis

“…A total of 12 193 unique references were screened and 314 full-text articles were assessed; of these, 56 articles ( 41-96 ) reporting on outcomes of 49 trials for 8554 caregivers were ultimately included ( Figure 1 ). Of the 49 included trials, 34 (69%) included caregivers of patients with mixed solid tumor malignancies, 6 (12%) only lung cancer ( 42 , 59-62 , 69 , 72 , 81 ), 1 (2%) breast cancer ( 74 ), 1 (2%) pancreatic cancer ( 94 ), 1 (2%) high-grade glioma ( 43 ), 2 (4%) gastrointestinal cancers ( 73 , 76 ), and 4 (8%) hematological malignancies ( 44 , 49 , 80 , 84 ).…”

“…Of the 49 included trials, 34 (69%) included caregivers of patients with mixed solid tumor malignancies, 6 (12%) only lung cancer ( 42 , 59-62 , 69 , 72 , 81 ), 1 (2%) breast cancer ( 74 ), 1 (2%) pancreatic cancer ( 94 ), 1 (2%) high-grade glioma ( 43 ), 2 (4%) gastrointestinal cancers ( 73 , 76 ), and 4 (8%) hematological malignancies ( 44 , 49 , 80 , 84 ). A total of 32 (65%) trials were conducted in an outpatient setting ( 42-45 , 53-57 , 59-77 , 81-83 , 85 , 87 , 88 , 91 , 92 , 94 ), 5 (10%) in a home setting ( 46-48 , 51 , 78 , 79 , 86 ), 4 (8%) in an inpatient setting ( 41 , 80 , 84 , 96 ), and 8 (16%) in mixed settings ( 49 , 50 , 52 , 58 , 89 , 90 , 93 , 95 ). Of the trials, 28 were conducted in the United States ( 44 , 45 , 49-51 , 53 , 55 , 59-68 , 71-77 , 83-86 , 89 , 92 , 94 , 95 ); 4 each in Australia ( 46-48 , 52 , …”

“…A total of 32 (65%) trials were conducted in an outpatient setting ( 42-45 , 53-57 , 59-77 , 81-83 , 85 , 87 , 88 , 91 , 92 , 94 ), 5 (10%) in a home setting ( 46-48 , 51 , 78 , 79 , 86 ), 4 (8%) in an inpatient setting ( 41 , 80 , 84 , 96 ), and 8 (16%) in mixed settings ( 49 , 50 , 52 , 58 , 89 , 90 , 93 , 95 ). Of the trials, 28 were conducted in the United States ( 44 , 45 , 49-51 , 53 , 55 , 59-68 , 71-77 , 83-86 , 89 , 92 , 94 , 95 ); 4 each in Australia ( 46-48 , 52 , 87 , 88 ) and China ( 69 , 80 , 81 , 96 ); 3 in Canada ( 42 , 70 , 91 ); 2 each in the United Kingdom ( 54 , 82 ), Netherlands ( 43 , 90 ), and Denmark ( 58 , 78 , 79 ); and 1 each in Colombia ( 41 …”

“…Of the trials, 28 were conducted in the United States ( 44 , 45 , 49-51 , 53 , 55 , 59-68 , 71-77 , 83-86 , 89 , 92 , 94 , 95 ); 4 each in Australia ( 46-48 , 52 , 87 , 88 ) and China ( 69 , 80 , 81 , 96 ); 3 in Canada ( 42 , 70 , 91 ); 2 each in the United Kingdom ( 54 , 82 ), Netherlands ( 43 , 90 ), and Denmark ( 58 , 78 , 79 ); and 1 each in Colombia ( 41 ), Jordan ( 56 ), Korea ( 57 ), and Norway ( 93 ). Seven trials were at low risk of bias ( 42 , 44 , 60-62 , 65 , 66 , 84 , 85 , 91 ), 8 had some concerns for bias ( 47 , 48 , 55 , 59 , 63 , 64 , 74 , 76 , 77 , 83 ), and 34 were at high risk of bias ( 41 , 43 , 45 , 46 , 49-54 , 56-58 ,…”

Determination of Caregiver Burden and Social Support Levels among Caregivers Providing Care for Patients Hospitalized in Palliative Care Clinics

“…Another study involving caregivers reported that both caregiver support and emotional support were associated with positive family relationships, namely the level of social support became higher as the family became more functional [32]. There was a significant decrease in the psychological well-being and the quality of life among caregivers receiving the nursing initiative called "Palliative Care Caregivers" [33]. This result is thought to have an impact on the care burden.…”