An Exploratory Study of Caregiver Burden Among Family Caregivers of Patients With Cancer

An Exploratory Study of Caregiver Burden Among Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients

This study will look at caregiver burden and the coping behavior of caregivers of patients with cancer. Through this study, the investigators will identify the relationship between cognitive dysfunction (measured as a proxy rating by the caregiver), resilience, social support, cognitive appraisal, coping behavior, and caregiver burden, anxiety, and depression among family caregivers of patients with cancer.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Cancer; Caregivers
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Questionnaire

Detailed Description

The goal of this study is to explore caregiver burden and the coping behavior of caregivers of patients with cancer. It has been documented that non-professional caregivers and long-term care providers to patients with cancer receive little preparation, information, or support to perform their vital role. Through this study, the investigators will identify the relationship between cognitive dysfunction, resilience, social support, cognitive appraisal, coping behavior, and caregiver burden, anxiety, and depression among family caregivers of patients with cancer. The findings of this study will direct future intervention studies to reduce caregiver burden and improve outcomes for the many individuals caring for family members with cancer.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 49

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • California
    • Burbank, California, United States, 91505
      • Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center
    • Mission Hills, California, United States, 91345
      • Providence Holy Cross Medical Center
    • Santa Monica, California, United States, 90404
      • John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center
  • Washington
    • Redmond, Washington, United States, 98052
      • EndBrainCancer Initiative/Chris Elliott Fund

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The sample for this study will consist of caregivers of persons with cancer. A convenience sampling will be used to enroll eligible caregivers.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 years
• Self-identified primary caregiver of patients with cancer
• Co-residence with the patient
• Providing a minimum of 4 hours of direct care for at least 3 days per week
• Able to speak, read, and understand English
• Willing to participate in completion of surveys

Exclusion Criteria:

• Professional or paid caregivers

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Cohort
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Family caregivers; The sample for this study will consist of caregivers of patients with cancer. Eligible subjects who agrees to participate in the research study and sign the consent form will participate by completing paper and pencil or electronic questionnaires.	Other: Questionnaire; Participants will complete paper and pencil or electronic questionnaires at the cancer center or in the privacy of their own homes.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Changes in Caregiver Burden Score [Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA)]	Relation between caregiver burden subscale scores and caregiver resilience, social support, and coping	1 year

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Changes in Anxiety and Depression Score [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)]	Relation between caregiver anxiety and depression score and caregiver resilience, social support, and coping	1 year

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Saint John's Cancer Institute
• Investigators: Study Chair: Santosh Kesari, MD PhD, Saint John's Cancer Institute; Principal Investigator: Marlon G Saria, PhD RN FAAN, John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Saria MG, Nyamathi A, Phillips LR, Stanton AL, Evangelista L, Kesari S, Maliski S. The Hidden Morbidity of Cancer: Burden in Caregivers of Patients with Brain Metastases. Nurs Clin North Am. 2017 Mar;52(1):159-178. doi: 10.1016/j.cnur.2016.10.002.
• Saria MG, Courchesne N, Evangelista L, Carter J, MacManus DA, Gorman MK, Nyamathi AM, Phillips LR, Piccioni D, Kesari S, Maliski S. Cognitive dysfunction in patients with brain metastases: influences on caregiver resilience and coping. Support Care Cancer. 2017 Apr;25(4):1247-1256. doi: 10.1007/s00520-016-3517-3. Epub 2016 Dec 5.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 23, 2017
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 28, 2020
• Study Completion (Actual): April 28, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 23, 2017
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 27, 2017
• First Posted (Actual): March 3, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 13, 2020
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 10, 2020
• Last Verified: November 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Stress, Psychological; Caregiver Burden
• Other Study ID Numbers: JWCI-16-1201

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No