title: Acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy of a supportive group intervention for caregivers of newly diagnosed leukemia patients.
abstract: This study describes the development of a supportive group-based intervention for family caregivers of newly diagnosed leukemia patients. We assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of the group on caregiver distress and quality of life, as well as patient distress utilizing a sequential cohort design comparing a pre-intervention control group with the intervention group. Patients and caregiver dyads completed measures at 4 time points: within 1 week of diagnosis (T1), 2-week follow-up (T2), 6-week follow-up (T3), and 12-week follow-up (T4). Significant interaction effects were observed for both caregiver distress and quality of life, whereby those receiving the intervention demonstrated improved quality of life and reduced distress over time. Overall, results support the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of the group intervention.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo , Buffalo , NY , USA.
authors.forename: Megan E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Pailler
authors.forename: Teresa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Zevon
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuszczak
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Eunice S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Meir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wetzler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: cancer; caregiver; intervention; leukemia; support