title: Developing and pilot-testing a Finding Balance Intervention for older adult bereaved family caregivers: A randomized feasibility trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to test the feasibility of a psychosocially supportive writing intervention focused on finding balance for older adult bereaved family caregivers of advanced cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Finding Balance Intervention (FBI) was tested for feasibility, acceptability and potential influence on increasing hope, coping and balance through a multi-method pilot study employing a randomized trial design with 19 older adults with an average age of 72 years. The intervention group received the FBI and a follow up visit from an RN-RA. The control group received the FBI at a second visit. The FBI, a theory-based intervention was developed from grounded theory qualitative data, applying Delphi methods to design a self-administered, psychosocially supportive, writing intervention for older adults who had lost a spouse after caregiving.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Feasibility was assessed and specific modifications identified. The FBI was easy to use, acceptable and of benefit. The FBI offered validation of emotions and ways to discover new ideas to find balance, which may enable bereaved caregivers to move forward on a unique journey through grief. The treatment group showed a statistically significant increase in restoration-oriented coping and higher oscillation activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest the FBI was easy to use, acceptable and of benefit. A full scale study, with specific modifications to the design, is needed to test the effectiveness of this innovative intervention.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, 4216 E Wing Health Science Building, 104 Clinic Place, Saskatoon SK S7N 2Z4, Canada; Honorary Associate Professor, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Electronic address: lorraine.holtslander@usask.ca.
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Holtslander
authors.affiliation: Nursing Research Chair Aging and Quality of Life Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Level 3, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405 87 Avenue, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada. Electronic address: wduggleb@ualberta.ca.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Duggleby
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada. Electronic address: ulrich.teucher@usask.ca.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Teucher
authors.affiliation: Palliative Care Services, Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region Regina, SK S4T 1A5, Canada. Electronic address: dancooper@accesscomm.ca.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Health Sciences Building, E-Wing, 104 Clinic Place, Saskatoon SK S7N 2Z4, Canada. Electronic address: jill.bally@usask.ca.
authors.forename: Jill M G
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bally
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, E-Wing, 104 Clinic Place, Saskatoon SK S7N 2Z4, Canada. Electronic address: jessica.solar@usask.ca.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Solar
authors.affiliation: College of Education, University of Saskatchewan, 3047 Education Building, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada. Electronic address: megan.steeves@usask.ca.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Steeves
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D017051:Hospice Care; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Bereavement; Clinical trial; Family caregivers; Finding balance; Grief; Intervention; Multi-methods; Pilot feasibility study; Writing