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Review
. 2016;5(1):41-8.
doi: 10.2217/cns.15.43. Epub 2015 Dec 17.

Neuro-oncology family caregiving: review and directions for future research

Paula R Sherwood  1 , Maureen Cwiklik  2 , Heidi S Donovan  2
Affiliations
Review

Neuro-oncology family caregiving: review and directions for future research

Paula R Sherwood et al. CNS Oncol. 2016.

Abstract

Vast research has underscored negative psychological and physical effects of providing care for someone with a chronic illness. Unfortunately, caregivers of persons with a primary malignant brain tumor have received very little attention in the research literature. The purpose of this article is to review what is known regarding descriptive and interventional work in neuro-oncology caregiving and to suggest avenues for future research. A total of 36 descriptive and six intervention studies were identified for this review. Increased distress in neuro-oncology caregivers has been linked to younger age; higher levels of economic burden and unmet needs; and lower levels of social support, spirituality and caregiver mastery. Intervention research suggests that educational programs and cognitive behavioral therapy may decrease neuro-oncology caregiver distress.

Keywords: brain tumor; burden; caregiver; family; neuro-oncology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

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