Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Jan-Dec:21:15347354221098984.
doi: 10.1177/15347354221098984.

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Multi-Modality Self-Management Intervention for Head and Neck Cancer Caregivers: A Pilot Randomized Trial

Chandylen Nightingale  1 , Katherine R Sterba  2 , Beverly Levine  1 , Janet A Tooze  1 , Kathryn Greven  1 , Bart Frizzell  1 , Ryan T Hughes  1 , Anna Snavely  1 , Glenn J Lesser  1 , Sandra Norona  1 , Katherine Pleasant  1 , Kathryn E Weaver  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Multi-Modality Self-Management Intervention for Head and Neck Cancer Caregivers: A Pilot Randomized Trial

Chandylen Nightingale et al. Integr Cancer Ther. 2022 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT) experience significant side effects, presenting challenging care tasks for their informal (unpaid) caregivers. HNC caregivers report low caregiving self-efficacy, high distress, and interest in supportive care interventions.

Objective: This randomized pilot trial assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a 6 to 7 week supported self-management intervention (Prepare to Care) offering psychoeducation and stress management skills building for caregivers of patients receiving RT for HNC.

Methods: Caregivers were randomized to Prepare to Care or standard of care. Primary feasibility measures included participation and retention percentages. Assessments were completed before the intervention, at intervention completion, and 6-weeks later after intervention completion.

Results: Caregivers (N = 38) were predominantly female (88.6%), an average age of 56 years old, and a spouse/partner to the patient (71.4%). Participation percent was 42.2%; retention at intervention conclusion was 80% and 77% at the 6-week follow-up. Quantitative and qualitative results support acceptability, with 64% to 88% reporting each intervention module was helpful (quite a bit or very). Intervention caregivers reported a significantly greater improvement in self-efficacy for progressive muscle relaxation (PMR).

Conclusions: Prepare to Care and the randomized pilot trial methods are feasible and acceptable for HNC caregivers of patients receiving RT. A significant treatment effect was observed for self-efficacy for PMR, and findings were in the expected direction regarding improved caregiving self-efficacy. Further research is necessary to determine the efficacy of this intervention with a focus on increased engagement strategies and longer-term outcomes.

Trial registration: NCT03032250.

Keywords: caregiving; head and neck cancer; intervention; oncology; progressive muscle relaxation; self-efficacy.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Study flow diagram. *Participants with data at any time point were included in the intent to treat analysis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures; 2021. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-...
    1. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines): Head and Neck Cancers; 2019. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/head-and-neck.pdf
    1. Bond SM, Schumacher K, Sherrod A, et al.. Development of the head and neck cancer caregiving task inventory. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2016;24:29-38. - PubMed
    1. Baghi M, Wagenblast J, Hambek M, et al.. Demands on caring relatives of head and neck cancer patients. Laryngoscope. 2007;117:712-716. - PubMed
    1. Chen SC, Tsai MC, Liu CL, Yu WP, Liao CT, Chang JT. Support needs of patients with oral cancer and burden to their family caregivers. Cancer Nurs. 2009;32:473-481. - PubMed

Publication types

Associated data