Family Caregivers Of Cancer Patients Research Articles

The Experiences of Family Caregivers After Losing a Patient with Advanced Cancer: A Qualitative Study

Background: In patients with advanced cancer, family caregivers are crucial in providing care throughout the illness, particularly towards the end of life. These caregivers often face unique challenges and emotions that may differ significantly from those experienced by other family members following the patient’s death. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of family caregivers following the loss of a patient with advanced cancer. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in Iran from June 2023 to January 2024 to explore the experiences of family caregivers after the death of a patient with advanced cancer. Using purposive sampling, face-to-face, in-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out with 14 Iranian family caregivers of cancer patients. The interviews were subjected to conventional content analysis for thematic extraction. To ensure the trustworthiness and rigor of the study, Lincoln and Guba's criteria were applied. Results: Data analysis and abstraction resulted in the formation of three main categories with eight sub-categories. The categories extracted from the caregivers' experiences were: Caregiver's inconsolable mourning, Unforgettable experience of caring for loved ones, and Constant mind involvements. Conclusions: The different experiences of family caregivers after the death of a patient and the more intense emotions they experience indicate that caregivers require additional attention and support following the loss. Consequently, health systems should identify these individuals during the patient care process and provide targeted support after the patient's death.

Increased Support for the Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients

Increased Support for the Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients

161 Peer Caregiver Navigation for Hospice Caregivers of Cancer Patients: A Feasibility Study

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of a 1:1 peer-delivered psychosocial support intervention to family caregivers of hospice patients with cancer, and determine a range of potential effects of the intervention on psychological distress symptoms and perceptions of the caregiving experience. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from hospice caregivers of cancer patients who participated in a non-controlled pilot feasibility trial of a 1:1, peer-delivered psychosocial intervention called Peer Caregiver Navigation (PCN). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of delivering PCN to hospice family caregivers of cancer patients, and to determine a range of potential effects of PCN on caregivers’ anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and benefit finding. Qualitative data were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis. For our study outcomes, we used both parametric and nonparametric t-tests to examine mean differences between outcomes at baseline and midpoint, and baseline and endpoint. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The findings demonstrate that Peer Caregiver Navigation (PCN) is acceptable, appropriate, and feasible to deliver to hospice family caregivers of cancer patients. Appropriateness of our selected target outcomes was determined by confirming expected measurement change in depressive symptoms (lower), anxiety symptoms (lower), benefit finding (higher), and self-efficacy (higher). Exit interviews revealed that participants responded favorably to our selected measures for these outcomes and to our data collection time intervals. Moreover, recruitment and consenting processes, survey completion rates, and attrition outcomes (i.e., study exit due to active withdrawal vs. patient death) were analyzed to inform recruitment and retention feasibility for future studies. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Peer Caregiver Navigation (PCN) was determined to be feasible, acceptable, and appropriate to hospice family caregivers of patients with cancer. Moreover, PCN has the potential to improve caregivers' symptoms of psychological distress by providing them much needed psychoeducation, coping skills training, and emotional support.

Structural Equation Modeling of the Relationship between Social Stigma of Cancer and Mental Habitus of Cancer among Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients

Introduction: In societies, incorrect beliefs about cancer cause stigma and weaken the health care and patients' treatment. The purpose of this studu is to investigate the impact of cancer habitus on cancer social stigma among family caregivers of cancer patients.
 Methods: Survey method was usedand the statistical population included family caregivers of cancer patients in Tehran hospitals in 1401. Sample size included 384 people selected by convenience sampling method of multi-stage stratified type by referring to the hospitals under study. Data collection tool was the standard cancer stigma index questionnaire and the researcher-made cancer habitus questionnaire. Data were analyzed through correlation tests, mean difference, path analysis and structural equation modeling in SPSS and Amos.
 Results: According to the results, there was a relationship between cancer stigma (with dimensions of others-avoidance, self-avoidance, and being released) and cancer habitus (with dimensions of enchantment and cure-avoidance); according to the path model, habitus explains 19/6% of the variation in stigma. Moreover, enchantment and cure-avoidance had the highest and lowest contribution to explaning stigma with an impact factor of 0/29 and 0/25. The results of structural equation model test also indicated appropriate fit of the presented conceptual model (GFI=0/973, RMSEA=0/067, CFI=0/958).
 Conclusion: Caregivers of cancer patients, as the main supporters of the patient, are always influenced by incorrect cultural stereotypes of society. Identifying different dimensions of habitus (especially the aspect of enchanment), paying more attention to the aspect of being released of stigma, paying attention to the role of education and awareness in reducing false beliefs and more interaction with patients have a significant role in reducing the stigma of cancer and makes it easier for patients to bear the pain and suffering of cancer

Mediating effect of social support between caregiver burden and quality of life among family caregivers of cancer patients in palliative care units

PurposeTo identify factors influencing the quality of life of family caregivers with terminal cancer in Chinese palliative wards and to test whether social support mediates the relationship between caregiver burden and caregiver quality of life. MethodsA cross-sectional study design was used. Sociodemographic data were collected and the Quality of Life Scale, the Caregiver Burden Scale, and the Social Support Rating Scale were administered to Chinese family caregivers from December 2021 to December 2022. The factors influencing quality of life and caregiver burden were examined using the Mann‒Whitney U test and the Kruskal‒Wallis H test. The mediating role of social support was assessed using the bootstrap method. ResultsFamily caregivers' quality of life in Chinese terminal cancer palliative units was related to caregivers' daily care time, the caregiver-patient relationship, and patient age. Caregiver quality of life was negatively associated with caregiver burden and positively associated with social support. In addition, social support mediated the relationship between caregiver burden and caregiver quality of life. ConclusionSocial support mediated the impact of caregiver burden on caregiver quality of life. Family, society, and palliative care institutions should be integrated to take actions to reduce family caregiver burden, increase social support, and transfer the positive aspects of specific cultural contexts to the culture of palliative care in general to collaboratively cope with various problems related to end-stage cancer.

Psychological Status of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients

Введение. Родственники больных со злокачественными новообразованиями играют значимую роль в поддержании их физического, эмоционального и социального благополучия и часто страдают от последствий болезни близкого. Цель исследования. Целью настоящего исследования являлось изучение особенностей психологического статуса родственников пациентов, страдающих злокачественными новообразованиями. Материал и методы. В исследовании приняли участие 111 родственников хронически больных: 30 родственников больных злокачественными новообразованиями (средний возраст — 47,6; SD — 13,18 лет); 33 родственника больных эпилепсией (средний возраст — 49; SD — 12,93 лет) и 48 родственников больных шизофренией и шизотипическими расстройствами (средний возраст — 54,31; SD — 9,46 лет). В качестве тестовых методов применялись: опросник выраженности психопатологической симптоматики SCL-90-R, методика «Уровень эмоционального выгорания родственников», методика «Оценка негативных последствий болезни близкого», шкала семейного окружения. Результаты. Факторный анализ методом главных компонент позволил выявить 6 факторов, объясняющих 64,73 % общей дисперсии: фактор субъективной выраженности психопатологической симптоматики, фактор степени мобилизации индивидуально-психологических ресурсов личности, фактор уровня социальной тревоги, фактор выраженности «фасадности» семейного взаимодействия, фактор выраженности «бремени» болезни, фактор уровня автономности пациента. Сопоставление исследуемых групп родственников по шкальным значениям факторов продемонстрировало сходство показателей бремени болезни и восприятия семейной ситуации. Вместе с тем в группе родственников пациентов, страдающих злокачественными новообразованиями, выявляется более высокий уровень и диапазон проявлений психопатологической симптоматики и снижение мобилизации психологических ресурсов личности, по сравнению с родственниками пациентов, страдающих эпилепсией и шизофренией. Выводы. В качестве основных направлений психологических интервенций для родственников онкологических больных необходимо рассматривать эмоциональное отреагирование стрессового напряжения, накапливающегося в процессе взаимодействия с больным, проработку экзистенциальных переживаний, связанных с ощущением утраты прежних отношений с больным, психологическую готовность родственников к принятию смерти близкого в случае летальности прогноза заболевания.

Incidence of Anxiety and Depression and Its Related Factors in Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients

Cancer patients’ family caregivers are critical in supporting and caring, particularly in developing countries with limited resources. However, little is known about the incidence of anxiety and depression among cancer patients’ caregivers in Indonesia. This study aimed to identify the incidence of anxiety and depression and explore the related factors among cancer patients' family caregivers at Soehadi Prijonegoro Public Hospital Indonesia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to January 2023, involving 85 caregivers. The Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Rating Scale were used to assess anxiety and depression levels, respectively. The study revealed high anxiety (3.5%) and mild to moderate anxiety levels (89.4%) among family caregivers. Additionally, approximately half of the caregivers (45.9%) experienced depression, with mild depression being the most common (35.3%). Significant correlations were found between anxiety and age (p=0.007), length of patient's sick time (p=0.010), and family care time (p=0.009). Age was negatively correlated with anxiety and depression. Moreover, the caregiver who lived with the patient correlated with anxiety (p=0.005) and depression (p=0.016). This study highlights the significant burden of anxiety and depression among cancer patient caregivers. Healthcare professionals should consider the identified factors when developing tailored interventions.

Discussion of the do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders with the family caregivers of cancer patients: An example from a major cancer center in Saudi Arabia.

To explore the views of the family caregivers (FCGs) about the "do-not-resuscitate" (DNR) discussions and decision-making processes that occurred during hospitalization in a Saudi cancer center. In this cross-sectional survey, the FCGs of inpatients with advanced cancer completed a self-administered questionnaire soon after giving the patients a DNR status designation by their oncologists. Eighty-two FCGs participated in the study, with a median age of 36.5 years and male preponderance (70.7%). The FCGs were mostly sons (41.5%), daughters (14%), or brothers (11%) of patients. Only 13.4% of mentally competent patients had the chance to listen to the DNR discussion. The discussion mainly occurred in the ward corridor (48.8%) or another room away from the patients' rooms (35.4%). In 36.6% of cases, the discussion took ≤5 minutes. Half of the FCGs stated that the oncologists' justifications for the DNR decision were unconvincing. The majority (84.2%) of the FCGs felt that the healthcare providers should share the DNR decision-making with patients (1.2%), families (69.5%), or both (13.4%). FCGs ≤ 30 years of age were more supportive of giving patients' families a chance to participate in the DNR decision-making process (p = 0.012). There is considerable room for improving the current practice of DNR discussions and decision-making processes in the studied setting. A readily feasible rectifying measure is to ensure the adequacy of time and privacy when planning for DNR discussions. We expect our findings to draw the attention of stakeholders to a compelling need for reviewing the current policies and processes, aiming to improve the experience of cancer patients and their FCGs.

Quality of life among family caregivers of cancer patients: an investigation of SF-36 domains

BackgroundWith improving survival rates, cancer has become more of a chronic disease with long-term palliative care requirements. Thus, it is even more than ever necessary to pay careful attention to the well-being of family caregivers of cancer patients, as cancer trajectory is a challenging path for both patients and their caregivers. This study focusses on ascertaining the level of quality of life (QoL) domains and their attributable significant factors among a population of cancer family caregivers.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study. The study population consist of caregivers of adult cancer patients in Zanjan, Iran between 2019 and 2020. Medical Outcomes General Health Survey Short Form 36 (SF-36) was the instrument to measure outcome variables. Clinical and basic characteristics of the caregivers and their patients were also collected using a questionnaire designed for this purpose. Data were analyzed using Independent samples t-test, Analysis of Variance, and stepwise linear regression in SPSS v.26.ResultsOf the caregivers 167 were male and 133 were female. The mean age of the participants was 40.77 ± 12.56, most of whom were offspring of the patients (148, 49.3%), married (239, 79.7%), and self-employed (81, 27.0%). both domains of bodily pain (76.50 ± 16.67) and physical functioning (74.88 ± 20.27) showed the highest scores among caregivers. Age and gender of caregivers, duration of caregiving, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status scale as well as type and stage of cancer, and type of treatment were among the significant predictors of QoL domains (All, p < 0.001).ConclusionFindings of the present study substantiated various significant predictors for QoL along with low levels of QoL domains among the caregivers of cancer patients. Securing such findings proves the magnitude of probable unmet needs and psychological challenges in this population and provides the health policy makers with some valuable clues to draw effective strategies to address such issues.

A head-to-head comparison of the measurement properties of EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L in Chinese family caregivers of cancer patients.

Although both EQ-5D-3L(3L) and EQ-5D-5L(5L) have demonstrated good measurement properties in several patient populations, there is currently limited evidence comparing the measurement properties of 3L and 5L in family caregivers (FCs) of cancer patients. This study aimed to compare the measurement properties of 3L and 5L in a sample of family caregivers of cancer patients. A consecutive sample of FCs of cancer patients recruited from three tertiary hospitals were invited to complete the two versions of the EQ-5D in two rounds of interviews. We compared i) the ceiling effect using the McNemar's test, ii) test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cohen's Kappa, iii) convergent validity using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, iv) known-group validity using F-statistic, v) and discriminant capacity using ordinal logistic regression. A total of 416 FCs completed the baseline questionnaire and 120 caregivers completed the follow-up questionnaire. Ceiling effects were smaller in 5L (12.5%) than in 3L (20.7%). The convergent validity (r = 0.344-0.771), known-groups validity (Fratio5L/3L = 2.06-4.09), discriminant capacity (ES = 0.341-0.396), and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.725) of the 5L were slightly better than those of the 3L in China. The current study found both 3L and 5L to be suitable for use by FCs of cancer patients. However, 5L showed superior measurement properties compared to 3L and therefore could be the preferred instrument when EQ-5D data of cancer patients FCs is required.

Deathbed experiences and meaning-making: Perspectives of family caregivers of patients who received cancer palliative care.

The deathbed symbolizes a time when the patient is dangerously ill and where death is imminent. The memories of family caregivers during this time can potentially shape their meaning-making of the patient's death and bereavement adjustment. We aimed to understand the experiences of family caregivers at the deathbed of patients receiving palliative care. We also examined caregiver's meaning-making that occurred after the patient's death. In this retrospective qualitative study, family caregivers of cancer patients who received palliative care in Singapore were recruited through purposive sampling. In-person, semi-structured interviews were individually conducted with study participants to understand their experiences from a caregiver's perspective before and after the death of the patient. Thematic content analysis method was conducted. A total of 25 bereaved family caregivers were interviewed, with spouses, adult children, and others comprising one-third each of the sample. Six themes emerged from caregivers' recollected experiences around the patient deathbed: Lasting image of the patient, A time of intense emotions, Healthcare providers prepare caregivers, A time for saying goodbye, Rituals provide comfort, and Impact on family ties. Four themes emerged surrounding post-loss meaning-making: An end to the pain and suffering, "Have I done enough?," Significance in the timing of events, and Gaining strength and personal growth. The deathbed is a salient time for family caregivers as they prepare for patient's death. There are opportunities to provide support to the family based on the study findings.

Predictors of emotional intelligence among family caregivers of cancer patients: A cross-sectional study.

Family caregivers of cancer patients must have strong emotional intelligence skills essential for understanding one's and others' feelings and learning how to cope. The present study aims to determine the predictive factors of emotional intelligence and its relationship with spiritual intelligence, coping, and knowledge and experience about pain among family caregivers of cancer patients in Iran. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in 2020-2021. Two hundred twenty-six family caregivers of cancer patients participated in this study. The data collection tools were Wong and Law's emotional intelligence, King's spiritual intelligence, Brief Cope, and the family pain questionnaire. Following determining the variables' correlation, linear regression was carried out. Emotional intelligence had a significant correlation with age (r = 0.20, p = .003), academic degree (r = 0.15, p = .032), duration of care (r = 0.15, p = .032), and spiritual intelligence (r = 0.30, p < .001). The regression model accounted for 12.4% of the variance in emotional intelligence; age (β = 0.16, p < .021) and spiritual intelligence (β = 0.26, p < .001) were significant explanatory variables. Emotional intelligence is correlated with age, academic degree, duration of care, and spiritual intelligence, but only age and spiritual intelligence were found to be predictive factors for emotional intelligence in the family caregivers of cancer patients.

Caregiver Burden and Quality of Life among Caregivers of Cancer Patients in Ahvaz, 2021 - 2022: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Reducing the care burden of family caregivers and improving their quality of life is one of the important goals of palliative care. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the caregiver burden (CB) and its relationship with the quality of life (QOL) of family caregivers of cancer patients admitted to Baqai 2 Hospital in Ahvaz City from 2021 to 2022. Methods: Using a convenience-sampling method, this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 178 family caregivers of cancer patients. The data collection instrument included a three-part questionnaire. The first part included demographic information of family caregivers of cancer patients, the second part included the caregiver burden scale (CBS) to investigate the CB of the caregivers, and the third part included the caregiver quality of life index-cancer (CQOLC) scale to investigate QOL in caregivers. This questionnaire was standardized and had acceptable validity and reliability. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive and analytical statistics tests using SPSS V22 software. Results: The mean and SD of participants' CB and QOL were 15.79 ± 50.23 and 80.84 ± 23.29, respectively. The majority of caregivers (47.8%) had moderate CB, and the QOL of caregivers decreased significantly with an increasing CB (P &lt; 0.001). The results showed that caregivers' QOL was influenced by factors such as CB, place of residence (rural area), duration, and type of disease (P &lt; 0.001). Also, CB was influenced by factors such as marital and employment status, level of education, and the family relationship with patients (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that the QOL of family caregivers of cancer patients decreased with increasing CB. Therefore, authorities and oncology nurses should design necessary plans to develop interventions to reduce CB and improve the QOL of family caregivers of cancer patients.

Predictors of caregiver burden among primary caregivers of cancer patients at Hawassa oncology center Northern, Ethiopia, 2022: institution-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundApproximately 60,960 people are diagnosed with cancer each year, and more than 44,000 people die from it. Family caregivers face a range of difficulties because cancer affects many facets of life, such as nursing care, communication, financial issues, and emotional conflicts. Consequently, family caregivers are more susceptible to developing demanding physical and mental conditions. Despite these problems, cancer remains the most neglected and underfunded health problem in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the caregiver burden experienced by family caregivers of patients with cancer; as well as its associated factors.MethodsAn institutional-based cross-sectional study was employed among 347 family caregivers of cancer patients who attended Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Oncology Center from May 30 to July 30, 2022. The data were checked for completeness and consistency and then coded. The coded data were entered into Epi-data version 4.6 and then exported into Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25 for analysis. The caregiver’s burden was assessed by a short form of Zarit burden Interview. The explanatory variables, like clinical and care-related factors, were assessed by a structured questionnaire. Family caregivers’ perceptions of social support were assessed by the multidimensional scale of perceived social support. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the strength of the association between outcome and explanatory variables. Each explanatory variable was entered separately in the bivariate analysis, and a variable with a p-value less than 0.25 goes further for multivariate analysis to control the possible confounding. The statistical significance of the factors influencing the outcome variable was declared in multivariate logistic regression analysis using an adjusted odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval when a p-value < 0.05.ResultsThe response rate of the caregiver was 100%. This study reported that 66.6% (95% CI 61.5–71.5) of the caregivers had a high caregiver burden. Being female, caring hours, previous history of hospitalization, and sleeping hours were significantly associated with the caregiver’s burden.ConclusionIn this finding, more than two-thirds of the caregivers had a higher caregiver burden. This suggested that there is a need to focus on and give more attention to caregivers to decrease their burden by including caregiver burden in routine nursing activities by the oncology unit, and further study should be done at the national level using other study designs.

A qualitative exploration of the dynamics of guilt experience in family cancer caregivers

Caregiving for cancer patients can cause stress among family caregivers. Caregiving stress is also associated with guilt as they cannot provide adequate care for cancer patients. However, guilt among family caregivers of cancer patients is poorly understood. This qualitative study aimed to explore the dynamics of guilt feelings in families that care for cancer patients. This study involved 45 family caregivers of cancer patients. Thematic data analysis was conducted. There were six themes emerging. Caregiving can be challenging, guilt and blame, guilt due to lack of self-capacity, guilt for neglecting others, no guilt at all, and discussion of guilt and blame as a caregiver. This study offers insight into social workers regarding the challenges and experiences faced by family caregivers of cancer patients. Appropriate health interventions and support should be provided to family caregivers of cancer patients to improve their well-being.

Effects of fatigue, rumination thinking, and sleep quality on hopelessness in family caregivers of cancer patients.

The heavy care burden, long-term dependence of caring for cancer patients, and changing social roles put family caregivers at high risk of mental disorders and hopelessness. This explored the relationship between fatigue, sleep quality, rumination, and hopelessness, and provides suggestions to maintain caregivers' mental health. We investigated 536 family caregivers of cancer patients in three grade A hospitals in Liaoning Province who met the inclusion criteria on the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14), Nolen-Hoeksema Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analyzed with SPSS 26.0, and Amos 22.0 was used to fit the structural equation model. The family caregivers had a higher degree of hopelessness and fatigue, while sleep quality and rumination were positively correlated with hopelessness (r = 0.483-0.906; P < 0.05). Fatigue and sleep quality can indirectly affect hopelessness through rumination thinking, while hopelessness has a direct effect on sleep. There are multiple action paths between fatigue and sleep quality, rumination thinking, and hopelessness. Family caregivers' physical and mental health can be maintained and hopelessness avoided by improving sleep quality, alleviating fatigue, and psychological counseling.

1749P Prevention of modifiable cancer risks in informal family caregivers of cancer patients: Implementation and evaluation of a personalised primary prevention intervention (PREV-AIDANT)

1749P Prevention of modifiable cancer risks in informal family caregivers of cancer patients: Implementation and evaluation of a personalised primary prevention intervention (PREV-AIDANT)

Caring ability and its related factors in the family caregivers of patients with cancer.

Caregivers of cancer patients experience a variety of challenges caused by the prolonged burden of care. Many of these caregivers do not have the necessary knowledge, skills and caring ability to fulfil their caring role. Therefore, healthcare providers should support them in learning to provide high-quality care. Evaluating caregivers' ability will be the first step of this supportive programme. The aim of this study was to determine the caring ability of the caregivers of cancer patients and its related factors. This descriptive correlational study was performed with 271 caregivers of cancer patients who were selected through convenience sampling conducted from July to December 2021 in selected hospitals in Tehran, the capital city of Iran. The data were collected using the caring ability of family caregivers of patients with cancer scale (CAFCPCS), which was developed by Nemati et al (2020). In addition, the stability reliability coefficient was calculated to be ICC=0.93. Data analysis was performed through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 26), using descriptive and inferential statistics and correlation coefficient tests at a significance level of 0.05. The mean score for the caring ability of the family caregivers of cancer patients in this study was 91.86±7.59. The mean total score of caring ability scale had a statistically significant correlation with the type of cancer and the duration of patient care (P-value=0.05). The results of the study demonstrated that the family caregivers of cancer patients do not have the necessary knowledge and awareness to perform their caring role effectively. Therefore, it is recommended to empower caregivers and use strategies to improve their trust, especially in caregivers who oversee patient care for a significant period of time.

Awareness and experiences of side effects and infections during chemotherapy treatment: a cross sectional survey among family caregivers of cancer patients in India

Background: Adequate understanding of side effects and infections is essential for family caregivers to ensure proper management for cancer patients during chemotherapy. The present paper describes the family caregivers' awareness of the symptoms of possible side effects and infections during chemotherapy treatment. Methods: Family caregivers were identified through the lodging facilities near the cancer treatment centres in Thiruvananthapuram and Mumbai. The cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured interview schedule formulated in the Kobo-collect toolbox and analyzed using IBM-SPSS-Statistics-25. Results: Among the 217 family caregivers aged between 19 to 76 years, 83% were close relatives of the patients. The majority of the family caregivers were able to identify conditions such as hair loss (95%), appetite change (88%), and nausea/vomiting (88%) as side effects of chemotherapy. At the same time, participants recognized the symptoms of infections were less. Unusual vaginal discharge/irritation (57%) and burning/pain with urination (55%) were the commonly recognized symptoms of infections. From the list of symptoms, more than six out of the thirteen side effects and more than three out of seven infections were correctly identified by 82% and 42% of family caregivers, respectively. Conclusions: The family caregivers were largely aware of side effects but not much about infections. Since chemotherapy is an immune suppressive treatment, infection awareness among family caregivers is essential to avoid any serious complications during the treatment period. Communication with family caregivers on 'the symptoms and management' of 'side effects and infections' and when to seek treatment is crucial for cancer treatment success.

Effects of Music on the Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Terminal Cancer Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of listening to self-chosen music on the quality of life of family caregivers of cancer patients receiving palliative home care. A total of 82 family caregivers were assigned either to the intervention group (n = 41) or to the control group (n = 41) in this double-blind, multicentre, randomised controlled clinical trial. The recruitment period was between July 2020 and September 2021. The intervention group received individualised pre-recorded music in daily 30 min sessions for 7 consecutive days. The control group was given a recorded repetition of the basic therapeutic training education also in 30 min sessions for 7 consecutive days. The primary endpoint assessed was the caregivers' quality of life (Quality of Life Family Version and European Quality of Life visual analogue scale) before and after the intervention. The secondary endpoint was their perceived satisfaction with the intervention (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire). The music intervention was successful, producing a tangible improvement in the caregivers' quality of life (p < 0.01) and satisfaction with the care provided (p = 0.002). The intervention was not only effective but produced no adverse effects. This study encourages the use of self-chosen music as a complementary intervention in nursing care for family caregivers of palliative cancer patients.