Stress Reduction Preferences of Caregivers of Patients with Brain Tumors

By Jonas J. Swartz and Stephen T. Keir

Caregivers of patients with brain tumors often times attend to the physical and emotional needs of patients who may suffer from functional, cognitive and neuropsychological symptoms of the disease. Frequently, these caregivers are family members who assist with activities like managing finances, accompanying patients to appointments, and administering medication while also providing emotional support. Providing care for a loved one with cancer can put the caregiver at increased risk for experiencing elevated levels of stress.

Research on stress in the general cancer caregiver population shows that age, education level, and ability to participate in valued activities influence levels of emotional stress experienced by caregivers. Caring for someone with dementia or other cognitive difficulties, common among patients with brain tumors, may also cause stress. Consequently, stress has also been linked to negative effects on the caregiver’s psychologic and physiologic health including panic disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, respiratory infections, hypertension, eating disorders, reduced immune function and poor health habits.

A study at The Tug McGraw Research Center in The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University looked at different types of stress reduction programs targeted for caregivers. The study showed that a high percentage (72%) of the caregiver population experienced elevated levels of stress. The majority of caregivers (81%) said they were interested in learning about stress reduction techniques and thought they could make time for it in their already busy schedules. Caregivers who reported more stress were more likely to be interested in participating in stress reduction programs. Most caregivers expressed interest in exercise (73%), massage (66%) and coping skills training (50%). Many also indicated they would like information about progressive muscle relaxation (48%), meditation (47%) and yoga (42%).  Caregivers preferred programs that could be done in the privacy of their home (90%), alone (37%), or with the brain tumor patient (28%) for whom they provide care. These results are encouraging since all of the interventions can be completed in the home and are safe for participants with varied physical fitness and capability.

As our understanding of caregiver stress increases, caregivers will have more resources and knowledge to help them cope with the unique challenge of caring for patients with brain tumors. If successful, stress reduction has the potential to improve physical health and emotional well-being of caregivers, and better equip caregivers to make difficult decisions with their loved ones.

A full version of this article will appear in the August addition of The Journal of Clinical Oncology Nursing.