Li-Yun Lee1, Bing-Shen Huang2,3, Chien-Yu Lin2,3, Ching-Fang Chung4, Ya-Lan Chang4, Shu-Ching Chen2,5,6. 1. Department of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, DA-YEH University, Changhua, Taiwan, Republic of China. 2. Department of Radiation Oncology and Proton and Radiation Therapy Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China. 3. Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China. 4. Case Manager, Department of Nursing, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China. 5. School of Nursing and Long-Term Care Research Center, College of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China. 6. School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Primary caregivers (PC) of patients with advanced head and neck cancer (HNC) report stress during caregiving time post-treatment. We sought to identify the trajectories of resilience from initial completion of treatment to 1-year post-treatment in PC of patients with advanced HNC and to determine the factors associated with trajectories of resilience. DESIGN: In this prospective cohort study with convenience sampling, patient-PC dyads were recruited from a medical center in northern Taiwan between August 2015 and July 2020. METHODS: We recruited 120 patient-PC dyads and followed up at treatment completion and 1, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. Generalized estimating equation analysis was performed to identified factors related to resilience. FINDINGS: PCs' overall resilience increased from initial completion of treatment to peak at 1-year post-treatment. Patient factors associated with greater overall resilience included older age, higher performance status, and shorter time since cancer diagnosis; PC factors included reporting more social support, better physical health, and better mental health. CONCLUSIONS: PC mental health was the most important factor in the resilience trajectory of patients with advanced HNC cancer. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Quantifying the relevant factors of trajectories of resilience will help to identify vulnerable PCs and guide survivorship care in the early stages of the post-treatment period.
PURPOSE: Primary caregivers (PC) of patients with advanced head and neck cancer (HNC) report stress during caregiving time post-treatment. We sought to identify the trajectories of resilience from initial completion of treatment to 1-year post-treatment in PC of patients with advanced HNC and to determine the factors associated with trajectories of resilience. DESIGN: In this prospective cohort study with convenience sampling, patient-PC dyads were recruited from a medical center in northern Taiwan between August 2015 and July 2020. METHODS: We recruited 120 patient-PC dyads and followed up at treatment completion and 1, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. Generalized estimating equation analysis was performed to identified factors related to resilience. FINDINGS: PCs' overall resilience increased from initial completion of treatment to peak at 1-year post-treatment. Patient factors associated with greater overall resilience included older age, higher performance status, and shorter time since cancer diagnosis; PC factors included reporting more social support, better physical health, and better mental health. CONCLUSIONS: PC mental health was the most important factor in the resilience trajectory of patients with advanced HNC cancer. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Quantifying the relevant factors of trajectories of resilience will help to identify vulnerable PCs and guide survivorship care in the early stages of the post-treatment period.