A randomized controlled trial of a group intervention for siblings of children with cancer: Changes in symptoms of anxiety in siblings and caregivers

ObjectiveThis study assessed the effects of a group interventionSiblings Coping Together (SibCT)on siblings' and caregivers' anxiety symptoms compared to controls, and potential moderators. MethodsSeventy healthy siblings of children on or off treatment (7-16y old, 41 males) participated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 2 arms/groups: SibCT (n=41) and an attention control (CG) (n=34). Both groups had eight 2-hour weekly sessions. EG followed SibCT's educational, social, and problem-solving activities. CG had planned games and crafts. Siblings and caregivers self-reported on anxiety symptoms at baseline, intervention end, and 3months later. Multivariable mixed model analyses examined the intervention effect over time, and potential moderators (gender, on/off ill child's treatment). ResultsNo main effects of group or time were found in sibling scores. A groupxgender interaction (P<.05) indicated that in the intervention group female siblings reported less total anxiety symptoms than male siblings, with no significant gender differences in the control group. Caregivers' total anxiety symptoms declined over time (P<.02). A groupxon/off treatment interaction in physiological/panic subscale (P<.03) indicated that when ill child was on treatment, caregivers of siblings in SibCT reported less anxiety compared with caregivers of CG. ConclusionsThere was no clear SibCT intervention effect. SibCT may benefit female siblings, and caregivers whose ill child is on active treatment. Contextual factors (gender) seem to influence psychosocial intervention in this population.