ASPO Abstracts

Selected Findings from a Randomized Pilot Trial to Test the Feasibility and Acceptability of the Caregiver Oncology Needs Evaluation Tool for Lung Cancer Caregivers

Authors: Nightingale, C.L., McLouth, L.E., Levine, B.J., Miller, D.P., Sterba, K.R., Dest, A., Farris, M.K., Lycan, T.W., Yelton, P.A., Kirkendall, E.S., Tooze, J.A., Snavely, A.C., Canzona, M.R., Weaver, K.E.

Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication
Conference Year: 2023

Abstract Body:
Purpose: CONNECT (Caregiver Oncology Needs Evaluation Tool) is a web-based intervention that systematically assesses lung cancer caregivers' needs, creates a tailored resource list, and refers caregivers to resources. We tested the feasibility and acceptability of CONNECT among lung cancer caregivers. Methods: Lung cancer caregivers were randomized to CONNECT or a generic resource list (Standard Care). Caregivers completed assessments pre-randomization (T0), 1-month post- (T1), and 3-months post-CONNECT (T2) and a qualitative interview at study conclusion. We calculated accrual, participation, and retention proportions. Themes pertinent to CONNECT likes/dislikes were identified from qualitative interviews. Caregiver self-reported outcomes including burden, depression, and anxiety were collected at each of the three time points and were analyzed using repeated measures modeling in which time (modeled categorically as 3 time points), intervention group, and the interaction between time and intervention group were included as predictors of the outcomes. Results: 39 lung cancer caregivers were recruited and randomized (CONNECT, n=20; Standard Care, n=19). Caregivers were on average 61 (SD=9.4) years of age, majority female (72%), Caucasian (87%), and a spouse/partner to the patient (56%). 57% of eligible caregivers approached agreed to participate; 90% were retained at 1-month and 85% were retained at 3-month follow-ups. Caregivers completed CONNECT in the clinic (64%) or at home (36%). 87% reported they would recommend CONNECT for other lung cancer caregivers (13% undecided) and qualitative interviews supported acceptability. Exploratory analyses at 3-months revealed a large treatment effect for improving caregiver burden (d = 0.8; higher scores reflect less burden), as well as clinically meaningful and moderate effects for reducing depression (d = -0.5) and anxiety (d = -0.6). Conclusions: CONNECT, a low-resource intervention designed with dissemination in mind, is both feasible and acceptable for caregivers of lung cancer patients undergoing treatment and shows promise for improving caregiver burden, depression, and anxiety. A future multi-site trial enrolling a larger sample is needed to determine scalability and test efficacy.

Keywords: cancer caregiving lung cancer supportive care web-based intervention caregiver burden