Effect of supportive interventions on distress and quality of life for caregivers of children undergoing stem cell transplantation: A pilot study

25^th World Congress on Nursing Care

July 24-26, 2017 Melbourne, Australia

Ying-Mei Liu, Yu-Chuan Wen, Pei-Yin Weng, Tang-Her Jaing and Shih-Hsiang Chen

Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Adv Practice Nurs

Abstract :

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) is an aggressive, cure-oriented treatment for pediatric patients with life-threatening diseases. However, it is considered a risky procedure. Previous studies have revealed that caregivers reported clinically significant distress while their child was receiving HSCT-related treatments. To evaluate the effectiveness of supportive interventions for caregivers, were implemented throughout three treatment phases of HSCT and involved the researcher and caregivers of children who were disease-free HSCT survivors. A total of 20 caregivers of children (age<19 years) undergoing allogeneic HSCT were followed prospectively from admission to discharge. Twelve (12) caregivers, randomly assigned to participate in the intervention group, were compared with eight caregivers of children receiving standard care. The primary outcomes were caregivers� anxiety, depression, stress and quality of life at 2 days after admission, 14 days after HSCT and 1 week before discharge. The secondary outcome was the caregiver-proxy-reported quality of life of children. Based on a generalized estimating equation, the results of this preliminary study revealed that 2 weeks after the HSCT, the intervention group reported lower depression, higher quality of life and lower caregiver-proxy-reported quality of life of children than the control group did. The supportive interventions evaluated can reduce distress and improve quality of life in caregivers of children receiving HSCT, particularly at 14 days after HSCT. The results of this study will provide insight for clinicians and researchers regarding evidence-based interventions for caregivers of patients undergoing transplants, as well as those having life-threatening illnesses.

Biography :

Ying-Mei Liu has completed her PhD from Chang Gung University and is actively involved in HSCT-related research initiatives. She is the Director of Division of Nursing, the largest nursing school in Taiwan.

Email: ymliu@mail.cgust.edu.tw