title: Informal Caregivers of Cancer Patients: Review of Interventions, Care Activities, and Outcomes.
abstract: Family and friends are important resources for patients during cancer treatment and warrant an expanded review of not only what they contribute to patient care but also the support they need and the personal consequences of caregiving. A review of 14 randomized controlled trials published between 2009 and 2016 was completed utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The results of this review expand the scope of what is known regarding relationships among supportive interventions for caregivers, activities performed to care for cancer patients, caregiver characteristics, and health outcomes of caregivers. Specific results include (a) updated synthesis of literature associated with variables important to caregiving, (b) attention to interventions designed to support caregivers,
authors.affiliation: 1 Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.|2 Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Dawn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Frambes
authors.affiliation: 1 Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Given
authors.affiliation: 1 Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lehto
authors.affiliation: 1 Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Alla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sikorskii
authors.affiliation: 1 Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Gwen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wyatt
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: cancer; caregiver intervention; caregiver outcomes; caregivers; caregiving activities; neoplasms; review