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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07749339

Coping Psychoeducation for Family Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients

This quasi-experimental study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a six-week, nurse-led structured coping psychoeducation program for family caregivers of patients receiving palliative care. The study will examine the effects of the intervention on caregiver burden, coping strategies, and burnout using pre- and post-intervention assessments.

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Key information

Conditions

Palliative Care Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Burnout Burnout, Psychological Caregiver Burden Family Caregivers Stress, Psychological

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kastamonu Unıversıty

Kastamonu, Merkez, 37100, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Objective:

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led coping psychoeducation program on caregiver burden, coping strategies, and burnout among family caregivers of patients receiving palliative care.

Study Design:

This study uses a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with an intervention group and a control group.

Intervention:

Participants assigned to the intervention group (n = 20) will receive a six-week, nurse-led psychoeducation program consisting of 12 structured sessions designed to improve stress management and coping skills. Participants in the control group will receive routine care during the study period.

Outcome Measures:

The primary outcomes include caregiver burden, coping strategies, and burnout. Data will be collected before and after the intervention using the Caregiver Information Form, the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and the Stress Coping Styles Scale (SCSS).

Statistical Analysis:

Data will be analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0 and Python 3. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize participant characteristics. Between-group and within-group comparisons will be conducted using appropriate parametric or nonparametric statistical tests. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) will be used to adjust for baseline differences, and generalized estimating equations (GEE) will be applied to evaluate changes over time. Statistical significance will be determined at a two-sided p value of <0.05.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Family member serving as the primary caregiver of a patient admitted to the palliative care unit.

Aged 18 years or older. No diagnosed psychiatric disorder. Willing to participate in the study and provide informed consent. Able to attend the psychoeducation program regularly. Caregivers of patients admitted to Palliative Care Unit 1 were assigned to the experimental group.

Caregivers of patients admitted to Palliative Care Unit 2 were assigned to the control group.

Exclusion criteria

  • Previous participation in any psychoeducation or training program related to palliative care caregiving.

Inability to complete the psychoeducation program or post-intervention assessments.

Treatment and study plan

coping psychoeducation program

Behavioral

A nurse-led structured coping psychoeducation program was delivered to family caregivers of palliative care patients over 6 weeks. The intervention consisted of 12 sessions, including an introductory meeting and weekly psychoeducation sessions focusing on palliative care, the caregiving role, stress and burnout, coping strategies, emotional regulation, relaxation techniques, self-care, communication, social support, problem-solving, resilience, and program evaluation. Sessions lasted approximately 40-60 minutes and were conducted in small groups using lectures, discussions, role-playing, case-based learning, practical exercises, and feedback. All participants in the intervention group also continued to receive routine palliative care services.

Routine care

Other

Family caregivers received the routine care and education provided by the palliative care unit. No structured coping psychoeducation program was delivered during the study period.

Primary outcomes

  1. Caregiving burden will be assessed using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). The ZBI is a validated self-report instrument that evaluates the perceived burden experienced by family caregivers. Higher scores indicate greater caregiving burden.

    Time frame: At baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention

    Baseline (before the intervention) and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Coping Strategies

    Time frame: At baseline and immediately after completion of the 6-week intervention

    Coping strategies will be assessed using the Stress Coping Styles Scale (SCSS). The scale evaluates adaptive coping (self-confident, optimistic, and social support-seeking approaches) and maladaptive coping (helpless and submissive approaches). Higher scores on adaptive coping and lower scores on maladaptive coping indicate improved coping strategies.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Kastamonu University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

" The Effect of a Nursing-Led Coping Psychoeducation Program Applied to Family Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients on Care Burden, Coping Strategies and Burnout Level: A Quasi-Experimental Study''

Acronym: COPE-PAL

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Aug 6, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 6, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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