Article
Oncology
Sandra P. Morgan, Cecile A. Lengacher, Carmen S. Rodriguez
Summary: Caregiver burden refers to the strain endured by family members without formal training who provide care for patients. It is associated with decreased self-efficacy, reduced quality of life, increased anxiety and depression, and can worsen over time, impacting the well-being of the dyad. Understanding the nature of caregiver burden guides interventions to identify and prepare caregivers for their critical role.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY NURSING
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
RiYin Tay, Joyce Y. S. Tan, Allyn Y. M. Hum
Summary: This study aimed to explore the factors associated with family caregiver burden in home care for patients with advanced dementia and examine its relationship with end-of-life care treatment decisions. The results showed that younger family caregivers and those without informal paid help experienced greater burden and risk of depression. Additionally, the severity of patients' neuropsychiatric symptoms and clinical instability were also associated with caregiver burden and depression risk.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Nursing
Yalin Zhang, Shu Zhang, Chunhua Liu, Xiaoli Chen, Yuxin Ding, Chang Guan, Xiaolin Hu
Summary: This study investigated the multidimensional properties of caregiver burden among family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer in a palliative context. Through a mixed-method approach, it was found that family caregivers experience a moderate level of caregiver burden, with dimensions including physical, emotional, social, and economic burdens, among which emotional burden is the most prominent. These findings provide important insights for policymakers and nurse practitioners in developing family-centred care in Chinese palliative units.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Natasha Michael, Alex Gorelik, Ekavi Georgousopoulou, Merlina Sulistio, Patrick Tee, Katherine Hauser, David Kissane
Summary: This study aimed to validate the Cancer Communication Assessment Tool for Patients and Families (CCAT-PF) in a sample of Australian cancer patients. The results showed poor concordance between patient and caregiver reporting, but strong correlations between CCAT-P and CCAT-F with preparation for decision-making. This preliminary validation supports the potential utility of CCAT-PF as a tool to assess patient-caregiver communication.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Wagahta Semere, Andrew D. Althouse, Robert Arnold, Douglas White, Thomas J. Smith, Edward Chu, Margaret Q. Rosenzweig, Yael Schenker
Summary: This study found that a palliative care intervention did not improve burden or mood among caregivers of patients with advanced cancer, but they reported higher self-efficacy compared to caregivers receiving standard care. It highlights the need for strategies to optimize caregiver outcomes in palliative care interventions.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Janneke van Roij, Linda Brom, Dirkje Sommeijer, Lonneke van de Poll-Franse, Natasja Raijmakers
Summary: A significant number of relatives of patients with advanced cancer experienced high caregiver burden. Those with high caregiver burden were less engaged in self-care and resilience, indicating the importance of raising awareness of the potential benefits of self-care. Future studies should further investigate the causal relationship between self-care, resilience, and caregiver burden.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Tugba Ulgen, Ozlem Ugur
Summary: This study investigated the impact of home care practices and perceived social support level on the burden of care for caregivers of cancer patients, finding that increased home care practices and decreased social support level can lead to an increase in caregiver burden.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Sumin Park, Susan R. Mazanec, Christopher J. Burant, David Bajor, Sara L. Douglas
Summary: 26.1% of DCGs reported elevated levels of burden; significant negative relationships were found between mediators (DCG emotional support and self-efficacy) and DCG burden; significant positive relationships were found between patient anxiety, depression, and DCG burden, suggesting interventions to reduce burden in local caregivers could be effective for DCGs as well.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Tzu-Ting Chang, Shu-Yuan Liang, John Rosenberg
Summary: Oral cancer in Taiwan is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. The complications and side effects of its treatment pose a significant burden on family caregivers. This study explores the factors contributing to caregiver burden and highlights the role of education level and household income in predicting caregiver burden. The findings provide insights for healthcare professionals to improve family-centred care and support for vulnerable patients and their caregivers.
Article
Oncology
Serap Unsar, Ozgul Erol, Ozlem Ozdemir
Summary: This cross-sectional study examined the caregiving burden, depression, and anxiety of family caregivers of Turkish cancer patients, finding a correlation between increased caregiving burden and higher levels of anxiety and depression among caregivers. It concluded that appropriate psychological interventions are necessary for caregivers to alleviate their distress.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY NURSING
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Yesol Yang, William Romine, Tolu O. Oyesanya, Hyeyoung K. Park, Cristina C. Hendrix
Summary: This study investigated the association between caregiver self-esteem and caregiving demands, coping, burden, and health. The results showed that caregivers who effectively coped with stress were more likely to have higher self-esteem, and higher self-esteem decreased caregiver burden and improved caregiver overall health.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Zhaleh Karimi Moghaddam, Mina Rostami, Alireza Zeraatchi, Jahangir Mohammadi Bytamar, Omid Saed, Saeedeh Zenozian
Summary: This study investigated the levels of caregiving burden, depression, and anxiety among cancer family caregivers in Zanjan, Iran. The findings revealed high levels of depression, anxiety, and burden among the caregivers. These results emphasize the importance of addressing the needs and psychological challenges of this population.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Caiyue Li, Nan Tang, Lili Yang, Qing Zeng, Tana Yu, Xiaojin Pu, Juan Wang, Hongchen Zhang
Summary: This study examines the relationship between caregiver burden and anticipatory grief among caregivers of elderly cancer patients, and explores the mediating effects of family functioning and resilience. The findings highlight the direct positive effect of caregiver burden on anticipatory grief, as well as the negative effects of family functioning and resilience on caregiver burden and anticipatory grief. The study also reveals that resilience moderates the mediating effect of family functioning. These results emphasize the importance of reducing caregiver burden, improving family functioning, and enhancing resilience in alleviating anticipatory grief among caregivers.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Trang H. Au, Connor Willis, Maija Reblin, Katherine B. Peters, Phioanh Leia Nghiemphu, Jennie W. Taylor, Howard Colman, Adam L. Cohen, D. Ryan Ormond, Arnab Chakravarti, Nicole Willmarth, Jyothi Menon, Junjie Ma, Hillevi Bauer, Alexandre H. Watanabe, Cornelia M. Ulrich, Prianka Singh, Alexander Marshall, Beata Korytowsky, David Stenehjem, Diana Brixner
Summary: This study found that patient performance status is a critical factor affecting caregiver burden, caregiving tasks, and caregiver time. Patient confusion is negatively associated with multiple caregiver domains. Patients with frontal lobe lesions may have better caregiver quality of life.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Rony Dev, Monica Agosta, Bryan Fellman, Akhila Reddy, Sarah Baldwin, Joseph Arthur, Ali Haider, Cindy Carmack, David Hui, Eduardo Bruera
Summary: The study found that the majority of patients with advanced cancer use multiple adaptive coping strategies, while a minority use maladaptive or avoidant strategies. Female and college educated patients were more likely to use positive coping strategies. There was also a correlation between coping strategies and pain and depression.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Barbar Antunes, Pedro Pereira Rodrigues, Irene J. Higginson, Pedro Lopes Ferreira
Summary: The study aimed to help healthcare professionals identify hospital patients with palliative needs, but encountered challenges such as low response rate and lack of participation. The results highlighted the urgent need for generalist palliative care training for clinicians.
ACTA MEDICA PORTUGUESA
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Liadh Timmins, Alexandra Pitman, Michael King, Wei Gao, Katherine Johnson, Peihan Yu, Debbie Braybrook, Anna Roach, Steve Marshall, Elizabeth Day, Ruth Rose, Paul Clift, Kathryn Almack, Deok Hee Yi, Katherine Bristowe, Richard Harding
Summary: This study compared bereavement outcomes for partners of same-gender and different-gender decedents and found that same-gender bereaved partners reported significantly more psychological distress, but there were no significant differences in complicated grief outcomes.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Javiera Leniz, Catherine J. Evans, Deokhee Yi, Anna E. Bone, Irene J. Higginson, Katherine E. Sleeman
Summary: This study aims to explore the costs of formal and informal care in the last 3 months of life for people with dementia and evaluate the association between transitions to hospital and usual place of care with costs.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Deokhee Yi, Charles C. Reilly, Gao Wei, Irene J. Higginson
Summary: This study found that breathlessness services were cost-effective compared to usual care, resulting in cost savings and improved quality of life. Additionally, tailoring service attributes to individual preferences increased the uptake of these services.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Tushti Bhardwaj, Rachel L. Chambers, Harry Watson, Irene J. Srividya, Irene J. Higginson, Mevhibe B. Hocaoglu
Summary: This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS) into Hindi. Through a standardized methodology, the Hindi IPOS was developed and found to have face and content validity for clinical practice and research. The availability of the Hindi IPOS has implications beyond Indian palliative care settings, as it provides millions of Hindi speakers with a tool to communicate their palliative care needs in their mother tongue.
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Katherine Bristowe, Liadh Timmins, Debbie Braybrook, Steve Marshall, Alexandra Pitman, Katherine Johnson, Elizabeth Day, Paul Clift, Ruth Rose, Deokhee Yi, Peihan Yu, Wei Gao, Anna Roach, Kathryn Almack, Michael King, Richard Harding
Summary: This study explored the specific experiences of LGBT+ individuals in partner bereavement and their decision-making processes regarding disclosure of relationships/identities. The findings highlight the additional stressors faced by LGBT+ people in bereavement and the varying levels of disclosure across social networks.
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Lisa Jane Brighton, Claire M. Nolan, Ruth E. Barker, Suhani Patel, Jessica A. Walsh, Oliver Polgar, Samantha S. C. Kon, Wei Gao, Catherine J. Evans, Matthew Maddocks, William D. C. Man
Summary: This study compared the characteristics of two commonly used frailty measures, the Fried Frailty Phenotype (FFP) and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), in people with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study found that both measures identified similar proportions of frail individuals and had predictive value for survival time.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
(2023)
Letter
Respiratory System
Natasha Lovell, Simon N. Etkind, Joanna M. Davies, Wendy Prentice, Irene J. Higginson, Katherine E. Sleeman
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Javiera Leniz, Joanna M. Davies, Anna E. Bone, Mevhibe Hocaoglu, Julia Verne, Stephen Barclay, Fliss E. M. Murtagh, Lorna K. Fraser, Irene J. Higginson, Katherine E. Sleeman
Summary: The number and proportion of home deaths in the UK increased during the Covid-19 pandemic, with evidence of socioeconomic inequality. The increase in home deaths was lowest for people living in the most deprived areas, showing a deprivation gradient. Further research is needed to understand the reasons for this change and if the inequality has been sustained. Overall rating: 7 points.
PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Respiratory System
Claire M. Nolan, Lisa Jane Brighton, Yihan Mo, Joanne Bayly, Irene J. Higginson, William D. -C. Man, Matthew Maddocks
Summary: This systematic review examined the effect of meditative movement on breathlessness, quality of life, exercise capacity, functional performance, and psychological symptoms in advanced disease. The results showed that meditative movement did not improve breathlessness, quality of life, or exercise capacity in people with advanced COPD or cancer.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW
(2023)
Review
Health Policy & Services
Houshen Li, Ping Guo, Wei Gao, Charles Normand, Richard Harding
Summary: This study reviewed the issues related to advanced cancer patients in China and assessed the suitability and quality of existing outcome measures. The results showed that there are currently no appropriate and valid outcome measures for advanced cancer patients in China. Further research is needed to improve the care and assessment of patients in this population.
JOURNAL OF CANCER POLICY
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Charles C. Reilly, Matthew Maddocks, Trudie Chalder, Katherine Bristowe, Irene J. Higginson
Summary: SELF-BREATHE is a digital breathlessness intervention that aims to improve the lives of people with chronic breathlessness. This study found that SELF-BREATHE was feasible to deliver and acceptable to patients, with users reporting improved breathlessness during daily life.
Article
Respiratory System
Charles C. Reilly, Katherine Bristowe, Anna Roach, Trudie Chalder, Matthew Maddocks, Irene J. Higginson
Summary: This study aimed to explore the preferences and choices of patients regarding the content of an online self-guided chronic breathlessness supportive intervention. The findings highlighted the strong preferences of patients for focused education, methods to increase self-motivation and engagement, interventions targeting breathing and physical function, and aesthetically designed content using various communication methods. Motivation was identified as a key determinant of the success of the intervention.
Article
Respiratory System
Charles C. Reilly, Katherine Bristowe, Anna Roach, Matthew Maddocks, Irene J. Higginson
Summary: The aim of this study was to explore the accessibility and willingness of patients with chronic breathlessness to use an internet-based self-management intervention. The findings suggest that patients with internet access have the potential to benefit from the online intervention.