Benefits of Early Versus Delayed Palliative Care to Informal Family Caregivers of Patients With Advanced Cancer: Outcomes From the ENABLE III Randomized Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To determine the effect of early versus delayed initiation of a palliative care intervention for family caregivers (CGs) of patients with advanced cancer.

Patients and methods

Between October 2010 and March 2013, CGs of patients with advanced cancer were randomly assigned to receive three structured weekly telephone coaching sessions, monthly follow-up, and a bereavement call either early after enrollment or 3 months later. CGs of patients with advanced cancer were recruited from a National Cancer Institute cancer center, a Veterans Administration Medical Center, and two community outreach clinics. Outcomes were quality of life (QOL), depression, and burden (objective, stress, and demand).

Results

A total of 122 CGs (early, n = 61; delayed, n = 61) of 207 pati

SUBMITTER: Dionne-Odom JN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4404423 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature