title: A feasibility study of caregiver-provided massage as supportive care for Veterans with cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility of using a multimedia program to teach caregivers of Veterans with cancer how to offer basic massage for supportive care at home.
  
  
  METHODS
  Feasibility was assessed according to partner availability, compliance with watching training materials and practicing massage regularly, compliance with data collection; perceived study materials burden; clarity of instructional and other study materials. Pre- and post-massage changes in patients' symptom scores were measured using a numerical rate scale. A semistructured exit interview was answered by patient and caregiver at the end of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 27 dyads were recruited. Veterans were 78% male. Forty-eight percent were diagnosed with hematologic malignancies (85%, advanced stage); 52% were diagnosed with solid tumors (64% advanced stage). Caregivers were 78% female; 81% were spouses. Out of the 27 pairs, 11 completed 8 weeks of data and practiced massage weekly. The majority of attrition (69%) was due to caregivers' burden. Caregivers reported instructional materials were clear, high quality, and easy to use. Patients were highly satisfied with receiving touch from their partners regularly. Post-massage symptom scores showed statistically significant decreases in pain, stress/anxiety, and fatigue. Perceived burden of data collection instruments was high, particularly for patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is feasible to use the TCC program to train caregivers of Veterans with cancer to offer massage for supportive care at home. Future studies should evaluate ways of providing support to caregivers, including offering massage to them, and easing the burden of data collection for patients.
authors.affiliation: HSR&D Northwest Center of Excellence for Outcomes Research in Older Adults, Seattle, Washington, USA. Leila.Kozak@va.gov
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kozak
authors.affiliation: VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vig
authors.affiliation: HSR&D Northwest Center of Excellence for Outcomes Research in Older Adults, Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simons
authors.affiliation: HSR&D Northwest Center of Excellence for Outcomes Research in Older Adults, Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: Evercita
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eugenio
authors.affiliation: Collinge & Associates, Kittery, Maine, USA.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Collinge
authors.affiliation: HSR&D Northwest Center of Excellence for Outcomes Research in Older Adults, Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chapko
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers; D003625:Data Collection; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D014728:Veterans