The Effect of Supportive Care on Mood, General Health, Competence, and Supportive Care Needs on Caregivers of Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Abstract Background: most cancer patients live more than 5 years after the diagnosis and many of them rely on their informal caregivers. The quality of life and survival of cancer patients depend on their caregivers' abilities. Methods: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a supportive care program on mood, general health, competence, and the supportive care needs of caregivers of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the south of Iran. The caregivers were randomly assigned to experimental (30) and control (30) groups. The data were measured using the Profile of Mood States, General Health Questionnaire, and Caregiver Competence Scale at baseline, immediately, one month after intervention. Too, the Supportive Care Needs questionnaire was filled out by patients at baseline, immediately, one month after intervention. Data was analyzed by the IBM SPSS 16.0. Kolmogrov-Smironov test, Repeated Measurement test, chi-square test, Friedman test, Manwitney U, and Independent T-test were used. Discussion: The average scores for mood, general health, competence, and supportive care needs of caregivers in the experimental group improved compared to the control group immediately and one month after the intervention (P < .05). The administration of the supportive care program positively affected the mood, general health, competence, and supportive care needs of caregivers. Trial registration: Clinical trial registration number: (IRCT20230128057252N1) https://en.irct.ir/trial/69729, date of registration: (2023-07-08)