Change in caregiver emotional ratings in response to neuro-oncology caregiver navigation sessions.

BACKGROUND: The CARING intervention is designed to help neuro-oncology caregivers recognize existing social support and improve coping. Caregivers received 8 weekly phone-based individual manualized sessions with a navigator. Our objective was to understand the impact of CARING navigation sessions on ratings of stress, frustration, in control, and hopefulness for each session and across the sessions.

METHODS: In this secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial of CARING, caregiver self-report emotional ratings before and after each of 8 navigator sessions were analyzed. Navigators asked caregivers to rate their level of stress, frustration, feeling in control, and feeling hopeful. Responses were documented in the navigation log. Paired t-tests were conducted on each emotional construct for each session. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) analyzed within- and between-session change for each emotional construct.

RESULTS: Seventy-three caregivers provided at least 1 emotional rating in a navigation session. There were significant improvements from pre- to post- for all sessions for both stress and frustration ratings (ts < -3.06, Ps < .004). The majority of sessions also had significant improvements for feeling hopeful and in control (5 of 8 sessions; all ts > 2.66, Ps <.02). Generalized estimating equation results mirror t-test findings for within-session ratings and show a significant decrease for feeling in control across sessions (b = -0.08, P = .035).

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest emotional improvement for each navigation session, with more consistent change in negative than in positive ratings. Navigation may offer emotional regulation and coping tools for neuro-oncology caregivers.