| Sumario: | Background & Significance: Patients with high-grade glioma face rapid disease progression, resulting in growing reliance on family caregivers for support with activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and symptom management. Purpose: Our goal was to uncover where caregivers feel most unsupported, to inform development of interventions that improve both caregiver and patient outcomes. Methods: Baseline questionnaires were administered to 50 caregivers of patients with high-grade glioma participating in a randomized controlled pilot trial of a caregiver training intervention. Caregiver psychological psychological symptoms (HADS), caregiving self-efficacy (CSE), role adjustment (CRA), and caregiver skills use and training needs were measured. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and paired samples t-tests were used. Findings and Interpretations: Caregivers (mean age = 50 years) were female (n=37, 74%), White (n=41, 82%), and non-Hispanic (n=43, 86%). Caregivers reported minimal additional assistance in caring for patients (n=18, 36%). Most caregivers reported no prior instruction in feeding (94%), bathing (86%), grooming (90%), dressing (86%), toileting (90%), mobility (78%), and navigating stairs (80%). Similarly, most caregivers reported no prior training in managing finances (50%), managing medications (64%), managing appointment scheduling (50%), attending healthcare appointments (56%), and managing health insurance (64%). Caregiver depression was statistically significantly associated with caregiver anxiety, self-efficacy, and role adjustment with impact on finance, schedule, and health (r = 0.50, r = -0.59, r = 0.46, r = 0.29, r = 0.42 respectively). Discussion: These findings reveal a gap in practical support for caregivers of patients with high-grade glioma, highlighting the urgent need for caregiver interventions that address skills training needs.
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