Caring for Family Caregivers:a Research-action Study

Anxiety Clinical Trial

Official title:

Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Reduction and Perceived Wellbeing Improvement in Female Primary Caregivers of Chronically Ill Patients by the Application of Problem Solving Technique by Primary Health Care Nurses

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01786083
• Other study ID #: 070489
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: February 1, 2013
• Last updated: February 7, 2013
• Start date: September 2007
• Est. completion date: July 2011

Study information

• Verified date: February 2013
• Source: Jordi Gol i Gurina Foundation
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Spain: Departament de Salut de la Generalitat de Catalunya
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Problem Solving Technique (PST) in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression among primary caregivers of chronically ill patients.

And also to describe and evaluate the process carried out by nurses when implementing the PST as a useful tool for care for family caregivers.

Description:

Background: In Spain, home care for the chronically ill and their family caregivers should be a priority in health and social policies due to the aging of the population and the progressive increase in dependent individuals. In our case, 88% of healthcare within dependency care is provided by the family and only 12% by health professionals. The family requires comprehensive and multidisciplinary ongoing care, in which the primary healthcare nurse plays a leading role. One of the areas involved is home-based nursing and counselling for family caregivers, in order to improve the quality of the care provided and to prevent issues arising that may adversely affect the caregiver's life.

Method: This is a research-action study with a mixed analysis methodology. Quantitative analysis was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Problem Solving Technique in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression among family caregivers. The clinical trial involved a control and experimental group and pre-post intervention measurements, using the Goldberg scale of anxiety and depression. The sample consisted of 122 caregivers who presented one of these positive subscales. The technique's application process was evaluated for the qualitative analysis, with a content analysis of the records of 10 nurses performing the experimental intervention.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 122
• Est. completion date: July 2011
• Est. primary completion date: September 2009
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Female
• Age group: N/A and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

Caregivers of chronically ill patients included in the ATDOM programme, who at the time of the intervention had a positive score on the Goldberg scale for anxiety and/or depression.

Exclusion Criteria:

Professional caregivers

Study Design

Allocation: Non-Randomized, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Single Blind (Caregiver), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Anxiety
• Depressive Symptoms
• Emotions

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Application of Problem Solving Technique

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Spain	Primary Health Centers, Tarragona Province	Tarragona

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Jordi Gol i Gurina Foundation	Preventive Services and Health Promotion Research Network

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Spain, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Anxiety	Goldberg Scale	Two years	No
Primary	Depression	Goldberg scale	Two years	No
Primary	perceived wellbeing levels	Primary caregiver's Emotional health(NOC 2506)	two years	No

External Links

•   Social and Family Wellbeing Department of the Catalan Government