[Effectiveness of problem solving technique applied by nurses: decreased anxiety and depression in family caregivers].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of Problem Solving Technique in reducing anxiety and depression, and increased perceived well-being in women family caregivers of chronic patients.


METHODS
A clinical trial FIELD OF STUDY: Health centres in Tarragona, Spain, during 2007-2011.


METHODS
A sample 122 caregivers of patients in home care programs that met the inclusion criteria, were assigned to intervention or control group according to a simple random process.


METHODS
In the experimental group, the nurses applied the Problem Solving Technique to the caregiver according to a four-session protocol. The nurses provided the usual care to the caregivers In the control group. One month after intervention, the dependent vriables were measured again in both groups. PRINCIPAL MEASUREMENT: The dependent variables of anxiety and depression were measured using the Goldberg scale, and the emotional well-being variable by the scale of emotional health of the primary caregiver.


RESULTS
A statistically significant improvement was detected in the anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as the perceived well-being in the intervention group compared to the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Implementation of the Problem Solving Technique is a useful therapeutic tool for reducing symptoms of distress in family caregivers of chronic patients.
Departamento de Enfermería, Campus Catalunya, Universidad Rovira i Virgili (URV), Tarragona, España. carme.ferre@urv.cat
Carme
C
Ferré-Grau
María
M
Sevilla-Casado
Montserrat
M
Boqué-Cavallé
M Rosa
MR
Aparicio-Casals
Amparo
A
Valdivieso-López
Mar
M
Lleixá-Fortuño
D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011340:Problem Solving