A Psychological Intervention for Family Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients

University of Valencia154 enrolled

Overview

This work aims to study the benefits a psychological intervention in family caregivers of palliative care patients can have for reducing anxiety, depression and overburden. A parallel randomized controlled trial of two groups was performed. Information was collected on 154 family caregivers of patients at the end of life during the moments before and after the intervention.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

154

Conditions

Palliative Care

Interventions

Psychological intervention for family caregivers of patients at the end of lifeOTHER

The intervention protocol is a structured programme within the framework of counselling, that aims to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as symptoms of burden (overburden).

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * To be the main family caregiver of a patient at the end of life, receiven palliative care. In the present study, the main family caregiver is defined as follows: family member who assumes the main tasks of care and attends to the patient most of the time, or for a longer period of time than other members of the family. * To have signed the informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: • To present cognitive impairment.

Locations (1)

Universitat de València

Valencia, Spain

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in anxiety (PRE and POST measures)

This variable was assesed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS. This Scale contains 7 items asessing anxiety, where lower values represent a better outcome. In order to observe the change in anxiety, it was measured at two time points: First measurement: PRE. Once the participant had signed the informed consent, the initial score for this outcome was assessed. Second measurement: POST. Up to 3 months after the first measurement the second measurement of the same variable was carried out. Between first and second measurement, the control group received the usual psychological attention, whereas the intervention group received the usual psychological attention plus the structured psychological intervention proposed in this study.

Time frame: Baseline up to 3 months

Change in depression (PRE and POST measures)

This variable was assesed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS. In order to observe the change in depression, it was measured at two time points: First measurement: PRE. Once the participant had signed the informed consent, the initial score for this outcome was assessed. Second measurement: POST. Up to 3 months after the first measurement the second measurement of the same variable was carried out. Between first and second measurement, the control group received the usual psychological attention, whereas the intervention group received the usual psychological attention plus the structured psychological intervention proposed in this study.

Time frame: Baseline up to 3 months

Change in burden (PRE and POST measures)

This variable was assesed with the Zarit Burden Inventory. In order to observe the change in burden, it was measured at two time points: First measurement: PRE. Once the participant had signed the informed consent, the initial score for this outcome was assessed. Second measurement: POST. Up to 3 months after the first measurement the second measurement of the same variable was carried out. Between first and second measurement, the control group received the usual psychological attention, whereas the intervention group received the usual psychological attention plus the structured psychological intervention proposed in this study.

Time frame: Baseline up to 3 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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