A Pilot Randomized, Controlled Trial of the Effectiveness of a Psychoeducational Intervention on Family Caregivers of Patients With Advanced Cancer

Purpose/Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention, the Caring for the Caregiver Programme (CCP). Design: A pilot randomized, controlled trial (RCT), two-group pretest, and repeated post-tests. Setting: Four home hospice organizations and an outpatient clinic in Singapore. Sample: 80 caregivers were randomized into experimental and standard care groups. Methods: Outcomes were measured at baseline, week 4, and week 8 after the intervention. The standard care group received routine home hospice care, and the intervention group received the CCP in addition to routine care. Main Research Variables: Quality of life (QOL), social support, stress and depression, self-efficacy in self-care, closeness with the patient, rewards, and knowledge. Findings: Compared to the standard care group, the intervention group reported significantly higher QOL, social support satisfaction and number of supported people, closeness with the patient, self-efficacy in self-care, rewards of caregiving, and knowledge, and lower stress and depression. Conclusions: The CCP had positive effects on family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer. Implications for Nursing: A psychoeducational intervention potentially could help caregivers cope with the demands of caregiving.