A randomized control trial of a psychosocial intervention for caregivers of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients: effects on distress.

ABSTRACT: Caregivers of patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (allo-HSCT) serve a pivotal role in patient care but experience high stress, anxiety and depression as a result. We theorized that stress management adapted for allo-HSCT caregivers would reduce distress compared with treatment as usual (TAU). Of 267 consecutive caregivers of allo-HSCT patients approached, 148 (mean=53.5 years, 75.7% female) were randomized to either psychosocial intervention (i=74) or TAU (n=74). Eight one-on-one stress management sessions delivered across the 100-day post-transplant period focused on understanding stress, changing role(s) as caregiver, cognitive behavioral stress management, pacing respiration and identifying social support. Primary outcomes included perceived stress (psychol

SUBMITTER: Laudenslager ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4527944 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature