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Clinical Trial on Mindfulness with Family Caregivers for Patients with Cancer

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Abstract

To examine the effectiveness of a brief mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) and educational interventions (EI) on self-efficacy and burden among family caregivers (FCs) of patients with cancer in Jordan. A quasi-experimental design was conducted. Two interventions were performed: the brief MBIs and the EIs were applied. A sampling of 138 FCs completed the study interventions. The FCs in the mindfulness group demonstrated a significant improvement in measures of self-efficacy and reduction in burden scores. Furthermore, in the EI group, only self-efficacy was significantly higher in the post-test. Burden reduction was significantly higher in the EI group than the mindfulness group. Appropriate supportive interventions should be directed to improve self-efficacy and reduce burden to assist FCs to carry out their crucial role in providing care for their patients.

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Funding

The authors received funding from the University of Jordan.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Nursing Department, School of Nursing, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan

    Muayyad M. Ahmad

  2. College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman

    Laila I. Al-Daken

Authors
  1. Muayyad M. Ahmad
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  2. Laila I. Al-Daken
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Muayyad M. Ahmad.

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Ethical Issues

Approvals from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) were obtained from the ethics committee in the selected settings. Data collection commenced after a written informed consent form was signed by the FCs who agreed to participate in both interventions were asked to complete the questionnaires at two different time frames: for baseline data (before interventions), and at the end of the brief MBI and EI after 5 weeks for both groups.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Key Points

• The brief MBIs hold optimistic results as an effective intervention to enhance self-efficacy and reduce burden among FCs of patients with cancer.

• We found that providing educational programs and offering medical information to FCs significantly have improved the levels of self-efficacy of FCs.

• FCs who are mindfully aware of their thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations can become more conscious about their abilities to perform tasks appropriately.

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Ahmad, M.M., Al-Daken, L.I. Clinical Trial on Mindfulness with Family Caregivers for Patients with Cancer. J Canc Educ 37, 304–310 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-020-01812-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-020-01812-3

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