Randomized Controlled Trial of Family Therapy in Advanced Cancer Continued Into Bereavement.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Systematic family-centered cancer care is needed. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of family therapy, delivered to families identified by screening to be at risk from dysfunctional relationships when one of their relatives has advanced cancer.

Patients and methods

Eligible patients with advanced cancer and their family members screened above the cut-off on the Family Relationships Index. After screening 1,488 patients or relatives at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center or three related community hospice programs, 620 patients (42%) were recruited, which represented 170 families. Families were stratified by three levels of family dysfunction (low communicating, low involvement, and high conflict) and randomly assigned to one of three arms: standard care o

SUBMITTER: Kissane DW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4966341 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature