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, 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.