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.