Mobilized Psychoeducation and Skills Based Intervention (Pep-Pal) for Caregivers of Patients With Advanced Illness

The proposed project is a pilot study of the Pep-Pal intervention versus a treatment as usual control group. A total of 60 caregivers; caregivers of patients with HSCT, caregivers of patients enrolled in phase I oncology trials, and caregivers of patients with advanced cancer (Stage IV, solid tumor) will be enrolled in this study. The investigators do not expect different outcomes from these three groups, rather these populations are selected to optimize recruitment within a short time frame. The caregivers will be randomized to either treatment as usual or Pep-Pal intervention. The proposed study population is based on prior research indicating that caregivers of patients receiving HSCT, caregivers of patients enrolled in phase I oncology trials, and caregivers of patients with advanced cancer experience significant distress. In addition, an initial study of caregivers of patients receiving allogeneic-HSCT were able to benefit from a brief, cognitive behavioral stress management treatment approach. A study examining distress in phase I oncology clinical trial patient caregivers highlighted the need for more support for this significantly distressed population. Furthermore, initial results of the qualitative development study for Pep-Pal yielded support for a mobilized platform delivery of resources for caregivers to manage distress because they acknowledged many barriers to engaging in in-person treatment to manage distress.

Inclusion criteria

• Women and men ≥ 18 years of age of any ethnicity
• Must endorse a moderate level of anxiety (e.g. Score above an 8 on the Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS))
• Speak and read in English
• Caregiver of a patient with auto HSCT who are moving forward with bone marrow transplant or have receive a bone marrow transplant
• Caregiver of a patient in a Phase I Clinical Trial
• Caregiver of a patient diagnosed with advanced cancer (stage III or stage IV)
• No Cognitive or psychiatric conditions prohibiting participation
• Must meet criteria for being a primary caregiver, defined as, the person in the patient's life who is primarily responsible for care decisions, emotionally invested in the patient's care, provides instrumental care such as transportation for a patient receiving auto-HSCT, enrolled in a phase I oncology clinical trial, or of a patient diagnosed with advanced cancer (stage IV, solid tumor).
• Have a computer, smartphone, or tablet with internet access

Exclusion criteria

• Caregivers below the age of 18
• Score below an 8 on the Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS)
• Cannot speak and read in English
• Patient does not receive a bone marrow transplant
• Patient is not enrolled in a Phase I clinical trial
• Patient is not diagnosed with Stage III or Stage IV cancer
• Cognitive conditions prohibiting participation