An Evaluation of the Family Informal Caregiver Stroke Self-Management Program.
BACKGROUND
Caregivers are often unprepared and overwhelmed with the responsibilities of providing care to stroke survivors, which can lead to negative physical and psychological effects.


PURPOSE
To evaluate the impact of the Family Informal Caregiver Stroke Self-Management (FICSS) program on burden and life changes resulting from providing care among family caregivers of stroke survivors.


METHODS
A prospective pre-test and post-test design using quantitative and qualitative data was used to evaluate the program with a convenience sample of 42 caregivers. The four-module facilitated program consisted of small group-guided discussion. Quantitative evaluations were completed at baseline, 2 weeks and 6 months (post-intervention), and qualitative data were collected at 2 weeks and 6 months. Life changes and burden were measured using the Bakas Caregiving Outcome Scale (BCOS) and the Oberst Caregiving Burden Scale (OCBS), respectively.


RESULTS
The BCOS scores increased consistently over time, showing significant differences at 6 months compared with 2 weeks (mean difference: 5.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30-10.28, p=0.04) and baseline (mean difference: 7.58, 95% CI: 2.92-12.23, p=0.001). The OCBS time scores decreased consistently over time, showing a significant difference at 6 months compared with baseline (mean difference: -5.20, 95% CI: -0.96 to -9.44, p=0.02). The OCBS difficulty scores fluctuated over time, resulting in no overall difference from baseline to 6 months. Qualitative themes were consistent with the positive quantitative findings.


CONCLUSION
Study results suggest that the FICSS program may result in reduced caregiver burden and improved life changes resulting from providing care.
['Mores|Gail|G|', 'Whiteman|Rhonda McNicoll|RM|', 'Ploeg|Jenny|J|0000-0001-8168-8449', 'Knobl|Patricia|P|', 'Cahn|Miriam|M|', 'Klaponski|Laura|L|', 'Lindley|Ann|A|', 'Fisher|Kathy|K|']
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D017028:Caregivers D003863:Depression D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D011788:Quality of Life D000073278:Self-Management D020521:Stroke D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Stroke Self-management Family caregivers