Problem-Solving Therapy for Hospice Family Caregivers: Does Timing Matter?
2024

Timing of Problem-Solving Therapy for Hospice Caregivers

Sample size: 218 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Oh Oonjee, Karla Washington, Debra Parker, George Demiris

Primary Institution: University of Pennsylvania

Hypothesis

Does the timing of problem-solving therapy affect hospice caregivers' distress levels?

Conclusion

Caregivers who received problem-solving therapy showed improved depressive symptoms, especially when the therapy was provided later after hospice admission.

Supporting Evidence

  • 79 caregivers received PISCES face-to-face, 72 via both face-to-face and videoconferencing, and 67 received an enhanced version.
  • Caregivers who received PISCES F2F showed improved depressive symptoms.
  • The PISCES Hybrid group did not show significant changes in depressive symptoms.
  • Only the PISCESplus group receiving the intervention later showed significant decreases in depressive symptoms.
  • All caregivers experienced significant decreases in anxiety symptoms.

Takeaway

This study looked at when hospice caregivers should get help to feel better. It found that getting help later can be really good for their feelings.

Methodology

Secondary analysis of pre- and post-intervention data from a problem-solving therapy intervention.

Participant Demographics

218 hospice family caregivers actively caring for their loved ones.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.013 and < 0.001 for F2F, 0.043 for PISCESplus later group

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.2749

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