Effects of a Nurse-led Survivorship Care Program on the Health and Resilience of Primary Caregivers of Patients With Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Li-Yun Lee; Bing-Shen Huang; Chien-Yu Lin; Ya-Hui Su; Ching-Fang Chung; Ya-Lan Chang; Shu-Ching Chen

doi:10.1016/j.soncn.2023.151425

Effects of a Nurse-led Survivorship Care Program on the Health and Resilience of Primary Caregivers of Patients With Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Semin Oncol Nurs. 2023 Aug;39(4):151425. doi: 10.1016/j.soncn.2023.151425. Epub 2023 Apr 11.

Authors

Li-Yun Lee¹, Bing-Shen Huang², Chien-Yu Lin², Ya-Hui Su³, Ching-Fang Chung⁴, Ya-Lan Chang⁴, Shu-Ching Chen⁵

Affiliations

¹ Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, DaYeh University, Changhua, Taiwan; Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chaiyi, Taiwan.
² Attending Physician, Department of Radiation Oncology and Proton and Radiation Therapy Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Associate Professor, Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
³ Head Nurse, Department of Nursing, Taoyuan Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
⁴ Case Manager, Department of Nursing, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
⁵ Professor, School of Nursing and Long-Term Care Research Center, College of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Professor, School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Research Fellow, Department of Radiation Oncology and Proton and Radiation Therapy Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan. Electronic address: shuching@gw.cgust.edu.tw.

PMID: 37055297
DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2023.151425

Abstract

Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of a nurse-led survivorship care program (SCP) on emotional distress, social support, physical health, mental health, and resilience in primary caregivers of patients with advanced head and neck cancer.

Data sources: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. One hundred patient-primary caregiver dyads were randomized into the nurse-led SCP group (experimental) or the usual care group (control). Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire, including measures of emotional distress, social support, physical health, mental health, and resilience. After 6 months, the experimental group reported a significant improvement in emotional distress, social support, physical health, mental health, and resilience. Compared with the control group, measures of emotional distress, physical health, overall resilience, and the resilience aspects of equanimity and perseverance improved in the experimental group.

Conclusion: An SCP may feasibly help alleviate emotional distress, improve social support, increase physical and mental health, and strengthen resilience in the primary caregivers of patients with head and neck cancer. Health care providers should encourage primary caregivers to join an SCP.

Implications for nursing practice: The nurse-led SCP can be applied before patients complete treatment, which may increase the positive effect on physical health and adaptation.

Keywords: Cancer; Head and neck cancer; Nurse-led care; Primary caregivers; Resilience; Survivorship care plan.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Caregivers / psychology
Head and Neck Neoplasms*
Humans
Nurse's Role
Quality of Life / psychology
Survivorship*

Associated data

ISRCTN/ISRCTN15441492