The Effect of Psycho-educational Intervention on the Caregiver burden among Caregivers of Hemodialysis Patients

Support based on psychoeducation intervention to address quality of life and care burden among caregivers of patients with cancer: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction

Cancer affects not only patients but also their family caregivers, causing increased caregiving burden and reduced quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a psychoeducation intervention on improving the quality of life and reducing caregiving burden among caregivers of cancer patients.

Methods

This study employed a non-blinded randomized controlled trial design involving 66 family caregivers of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in Shahroud, Iran in 2024. Of the 69 caregivers initially approached, one declined to participate, and two were excluded due to lack of smartphone access, leaving a final sample of 66 caregivers. Participants were assigned to either the psychoeducation intervention program or the control group using the quadruple block randomization method. The intervention spanned 3 months and consisted of six online group sessions lasting 35-45 min each. The psychoeducation intervention was delivered by trained psychiatric nurse. Data were collected before and 1 month after the intervention using the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire and the Novak and Guest care burden inventory. Statistical analysis was conducted using chi squared, independent t-tests, and the linear regression analysis with a significance level set at 0.05.

Results

The primary outcome of this study was the change in caregivers' quality of life and caregiver burden. Initially, both groups exhibited similar average scores for care burden and quality of life (p > 0.05). The intervention group showed a significant reduction in caregiving burden by 4.1 ± 13.7, whereas the control group experienced a slight increase of 2.5 ± 12.0. Similarly, quality of life scores improved by 4.7 ± 16.9 in the intervention group but declined by 8.6 ± 15.3 in the control group. Regression analysis indicated that the psychoeducation group demonstrated significantly lower caregiving burden scores and higher quality of life scores following the intervention compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Caregivers of cancer patients often face significant burdens that impact their quality of life. Psychoeducational interventions focusing on coping, problem-solving, and stress management should be integrated into cancer care plans to provide essential support.

Clinical trial registration

https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/54613, identifier IRCT20180728040617N3.

Effectiveness of psychosocial interventions on the burden and quality of life of informal caregivers of hemodialysis patients: a systematic review

PURPOSE

To systematically review the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions developed for informal caregivers of hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

Relevant studies were identified through five electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and the CENTRAL. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies describing interventions for informal caregivers of adult in-center hemodialysis patients (≥18 years old) were included and independently appraised by two reviewers using the Joanna Briggs Institute Statistics Assessment and Review Instruments critical appraisal checklists.

RESULTS

Eleven articles evaluating eight intervention programs were included in this review, covering a total of 729 informal caregivers. Most studies implemented educational or psycho-educational interventions (n = 6). Psycho-educational interventions designed to promote caregivers' ability to care and to cope with the caregiving role had positive effects on burden and/or quality of life. Psychological interventions also had large effects on reducing the burden over time.

CONCLUSIONS

There are still few interventions available to caregivers of hemodialysis patients. Psychosocial interventions showed great potential in improving the caregiver burden and quality of life. Further research with rigorous designs is needed to achieve stronger evidence on the extent of the current findings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021247916.Implications for rehabilitationPatients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing in-center hemodialysis often require emotional and/or practical support from family members or friends.Research has consistently shown that informal caregivers of hemodialysis patients may experience significant burden and a negative impact on their quality of life as a result of their caregiving role during the disease trajectory.This review evidenced that intervention programs involving education and psychological strategies had large positive effects on reducing caregiver burden and improving quality of life.The findings provide valuable evidence to recommend the inclusion of psychosocial programs to family caregivers as part of comprehensive renal care.

Intensity of care and perceived burden among informal caregivers to persons with chronic medical conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Informal caregivers provide ongoing assistance to a loved one with a health condition. No studies have compared caregiving intensity and perception of burden across chronic medical conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Databases were searched from inception through 11 September 2020 to identify studies that included the Level of Care Index or the Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI) among caregivers for people with chronic diseases. Pooled mean ZBI scores and 95% confidence intervals by medical condition were calculated using a random effects model and heterogeneity with I².

RESULTS

Ninety-seven included articles reported on 98 unique samples across 21 chronic diseases. No study used the Level of Care Index. Among 12 disease groups with more than one study, heterogeneity was too high (I² range: 0-99.6%, ≥76.5% in 11 groups) to confidently estimate burden. The percent of studies rated high risk of bias ranged from 0% to 98%, but all external validity items were rated as high-risk in >50% of studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings highlight the need for studies on caregiver burden to improve sampling techniques; better report sampling procedures and caregiver and care recipient characteristics; and develop a standard set of outcomes, including a measure of caregiving intensity. Systematic Review Registration: CRD42017080962IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe amount of burden reported by caregivers to loved ones is associated with reduced physical and mental health.We found considerable heterogeneity in perceived burden reported by informal caregivers across different studies within disease groups, which is likely related to methodological issues, including sampling techniques.Health care providers who use research on caregiver burden should assess how representative study samples may be and exercise caution in drawing conclusions.

Interventions to improve the well-being of family caregivers of patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis: a systematic review

Background

The family caregivers of patients on hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) typically experience higher burden than the general population because of the nature of tasks these caregivers need to carry out as a part of homecare. This fact influences both the caregivers’ quality of life and the quality of their care toward the patient. Thus, this study aimed to review the effectiveness and limitations of interventions in improving the well-being of family caregivers of patients on HD and PD.

Methodology

A systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (version 5.1.0). The Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, MEDLINE, VHL Regional Portal, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched queried for randomized controlled trials that developed interventions aimed at improving the well-being of family caregivers of patients undergoing HD and/or PD from 2009 to 2020. The study protocol was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (registration no. CRD42020151161).

Results

Six studies met the inclusion criteria, all of which addressed caregivers of patients undergoing HD. All interventions reported in the included studies were carried out in group sessions, which addressed topics such as patient assistance and care, treatment complications, coping strategies, caregiver self-care practices, problem solving, and self-efficacy. The studies found significant improvement in the caregiver’s well-being.

Conclusions

Group session interventions are effective in improving the well-being of family caregivers of patients undergoing HD. In regard to PD, there is insufficient evidence to make recommendations for caregivers of patients with this treatment.

Family Members' Experiences With Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation

Rationale & Objective

Understanding whether family members’ experiences with patients’ treatment for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) were expected could guide the development of family-centered interventions that enhance the preparedness of patients and their care partners for kidney replacement therapies. We explored unexpected negative experiences with ESKD treatments among family members of dialysis and posttransplantation patients to identify meaningful directions for family-centered research and clinical care.

Study Design

Qualitative study.

Setting & Participants

8 focus groups comprising 49 family members of dialysis patients and living donor kidney transplant recipients undergoing medical care in Baltimore, MD.

Analytical Approach

Focus groups were stratified by patients’ treatment (in-center hemodialysis, home hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or living donor kidney transplantation) and family members’ self-reported race (African American vs non–African American), resulting in 2 groups per treatment experience. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify themes in focus group transcripts. Themes shared across different treatment groups were highlighted to provide insight into common experiences.

Results

We identified 4 themes that described family members’ unexpected negative treatment experiences: becoming a care partner (unanticipated responsibilities and sleep disruptions), adverse psychological treatment responses in patients (eg, depression) and family members (eg, anxiety), treatment delivery and logistics (insufficient information, medication regimen, and logistical inconveniences), and patient morbidity (dialysis-related health problems and fatigue). All themes were relevant to discussions in the in-center hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and transplantation groups, whereas psychological responses and morbidity themes did not reflect discussions in home hemodialysis groups.

Limitations

Data collection occurred from 2008 to 2009; family members were recruited through patients undergoing care in 1 geographic area; 1 family member participant per patient.

Conclusions

Family members described a broad range of unexpected negative experiences with ESKD treatments. Efforts to prepare families for ESKD treatments through more family-centered care, early and tailored education, and interventions targeting care partner preparedness, health provider–family member communication, and relationship dynamics in family member–patient dyads are needed.