Relieving the burden of informal caregivers of older adults with cancer: The effect of asynchronous video-based training delivered via mobile devices: A pretest-posttest controlled intervention study

Abstract

This study examines the impact of asynchronous video-based mobile training on reducing stress and caregiving burden among informal caregivers of older adults with cancer. The study was conducted between March 2023 and March 2024 with informal caregivers of older adults with cancer receiving chemotherapy at an oncology center. It is a pretest-posttest control group intervention study. Training videos were sent to informal caregivers, follow-up of patients continued via telephone and online counseling was provided. The participants’ caregiving burden and stress levels were measured using the Zarit Burden Interview and Caregiver Strain Index. The stress levels and caregiving burden of informal caregivers in the intervention group who received asynchronous video-based training via mobile devices and online counseling services were found to have significantly decreased (p <.05). There was a significant decrease in the stress levels of the intervention group compared to the control group in women, singles, and informal caregivers who cared for older adults with cancer and had no other patient/child care responsibilities (p <.05). The study results reveal that mobile health technologies positively affect caregivers, and it is essential to expand such training programs.