Gitta Kleijn1,2, Birgit I Lissenberg-Witte3, Ernst T Bohlmeijer4, Vincent Willemsen5, Annemarie Becker-Commissaris2,6, Corien M Eeltink2,7, Anna M E Bruynzeel2,8, Maurice J van der Vorst9, Pim Cuijpers1, Irma M Verdonck-de Leeuw10,11,12. 1. Department of Clinical, Neuro- & Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands. 2. Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands. 3. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Amsterdam, Netherlands. 4. Department of Psychology, Health & Technology, University Twente, Enschede, Netherlands. 5. Center for Psychosocial Oncology Care, Ingeborg Douwes Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands. 6. Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Amsterdam, Netherlands. 7. Department of Haematology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Amsterdam, Netherlands. 8. Department of Radiation Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Amsterdam, Netherlands. 9. Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Amsterdam, Netherlands. 10. Department of Clinical, Neuro- & Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands. im.verdonck@amsterdamumc.nl. 11. Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands. im.verdonck@amsterdamumc.nl. 12. Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Amsterdam, Netherlands. im.verdonck@amsterdamumc.nl.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Investigate whether Life Review Therapy and Memory Specificity Training (LRT-MST) targeting incurably ill cancer patients may also have a beneficial effect on caregiving burden, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and posttraumatic growth of the informal caregivers. METHODS: Data was collected in the context of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) (secondary analyses) on the effect of LRT-MST among incurably cancer patients. Informal caregivers of participating patients were asked to complete outcome measures at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and 1-month follow-up (T2): caregiver burden (caregivers reaction assessment scale (CRA)), symptoms of anxiety and depression (hospital anxiety and depression scale), and posttraumatic growth (posttraumatic growth inventory). Linear mixed models (intention to treat) were used to assess group differences in changes over time. Effect size and independent samples t tests were used to assess group differences at T1 and T2. RESULTS: In total, 64 caregivers participated. At baseline, 56% of the caregivers experienced anxiety and 30% depression. No significant effect was found on these symptoms nor on posttraumatic growth or most aspects of caregiver burden. There was a significant effect of LRT-MST on the course of self-esteem (subscale CRA) (p = 0.013). Effect size was moderate post-intervention (ES = - 0.38, p = 0.23) and at 3-month follow-up (ES = 0.53, p = 0.083). CONCLUSIONS:Many caregivers of incurably ill cancer patients experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. LRT-MST does not improve symptoms of depression and anxiety, negative aspects of caregiver burden, or posttraumatic growth. LRT-MST may have a protective effect on self-esteem of informal caregivers (positive aspect of caregiver burden). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Netherlands Trial Register (NTR 2256), registered on 23-3-2010.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: Investigate whether Life Review Therapy and Memory Specificity Training (LRT-MST) targeting incurably ill cancerpatients may also have a beneficial effect on caregiving burden, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and posttraumatic growth of the informal caregivers. METHODS: Data was collected in the context of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) (secondary analyses) on the effect of LRT-MST among incurably cancerpatients. Informal caregivers of participating patients were asked to complete outcome measures at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and 1-month follow-up (T2): caregiver burden (caregivers reaction assessment scale (CRA)), symptoms of anxiety and depression (hospital anxiety and depression scale), and posttraumatic growth (posttraumatic growth inventory). Linear mixed models (intention to treat) were used to assess group differences in changes over time. Effect size and independent samples t tests were used to assess group differences at T1 and T2. RESULTS: In total, 64 caregivers participated. At baseline, 56% of the caregivers experienced anxiety and 30% depression. No significant effect was found on these symptoms nor on posttraumatic growth or most aspects of caregiver burden. There was a significant effect of LRT-MST on the course of self-esteem (subscale CRA) (p = 0.013). Effect size was moderate post-intervention (ES = - 0.38, p = 0.23) and at 3-month follow-up (ES = 0.53, p = 0.083). CONCLUSIONS: Many caregivers of incurably ill cancerpatients experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. LRT-MST does not improve symptoms of depression and anxiety, negative aspects of caregiver burden, or posttraumatic growth. LRT-MST may have a protective effect on self-esteem of informal caregivers (positive aspect of caregiver burden). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Netherlands Trial Register (NTR 2256), registered on 23-3-2010.
Authors: Gitta Kleijn; Birgit I Lissenberg-Witte; Ernst T Bohlmeijer; Bas Steunenberg; Kitty Knipscheer-Kuijpers; Vincent Willemsen; Annemarie Becker; Egbert F Smit; Corien M Eeltink; Anna M E Bruynzeel; Maurice van der Vorst; Remco de Bree; C René Leemans; Michiel W M van den Brekel; Pim Cuijpers; Irma M Verdonck-de Leeuw Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-05-15 Impact factor: 3.240