Quality of life of caregivers of patients with advanced-stage cancer.
There has been much research documenting the impact of having a loved one diagnosed with advanced cancer, but little is known about how to reduce care-giver burden. In this randomized controlled trial, the authors examined the potential relationship of an advanced cancer patient's participation in an 8-session, structured, multidisciplinary intervention on the care-giver's burden and quality of life (QOL). Although the patients randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 54) demonstrated improved QOL compared to the control condition (n = 49) participants (P < .05), there was no evidence that improving the patient's QOL made an impact on the caregiver's level of burden or the care-giver's QOL. Further investigation is warranted in this area, including interventions specifically designed and targeted to both reduce caregiver burden and to improve caregiver QOL.
Clark
Matthew M
MM
Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. clark.matthew@mayo.edu
Rummans
Teresa A
TA
Sloan
Jeff A
JA
Jensen
Andrus
A
Atherton
Pamela J
PJ
Frost
Marlene H
MH
Richardson
Jarrett W
JW
Bostwick
J Michael
JM
Johnson
Mary E
ME
Hanson
Jean M
JM
Brown
Paul D
PD
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D029181:Spirituality; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires