Study of a Behavioral Intervention for Older Advanced Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers

The number of participants that complete the entire study procedures out of the number of participants enrolled in the study. The study consisted of one patient and one caregiver (defined as a dyad) that completed the study procedures together), therefore there were 19 dyads enrolled in the study or 38 participants. The proportion of participants that completed the study was determined out of the 19 dyads enrolled.

The number of participants who consented for the study out of the number of eligible participants who were approached and asked if they would like to be in the study. This outcome measures the proportion of potential participants approached who provided informed consent to participate in the Dyadic Life Review (DLR) study. A total of 42 patients were approached, and 38 provided informed consent to participate.The proportion was calculated as the number who consented divided by the total number approached (38 ÷ 42 × 100 = 90.5 percent).

The proportion of participants who completed the full study intervention and indicated that the intervention was acceptable during post-intervention qualitative interviews. Acceptability was assessed only among participants who completed all study sessions.

UCLA Loneliness Scale assesses perceived loneliness on a 0-10 scale, with higher scores indicating greater loneliness. Mean change was calculated as week 14 score minus baseline score for caregivers who completed the measure.

This measures the quality of the relationship with the care-receiver: assesses quality of relationship between participant and family member and has demonstrated valid scores across several relationship types, including spouses and other family members. The scale of this instrument ranges from 1 to 7 with higher scores indicating more closeness. The change in score pre and post intervention was determined by subtracting the post intervention score from the pre intervention score and the mean of the change scores was calculated.

Measures perceived stress, scale 0-40, higher scores indicate greater stress. Mean change calculated as week 14 minus baseline for caregivers who completed the measure.

Items assess both positive and negative aspects of caregiving. Subscales: role captivity, overload, relational deprivation, competence, personal gain, family beliefs, family conflict, job conflict. The scale ranges from 0 to 24 with higher scores indicating a more negative caregiver experience. Preliminary evidence for the validity and reliability of the Caregiver Reaction Scale. Mean change calculated as week 14 minus baseline for caregivers who completed the measure.

The purpose of this scale is to identify the clinical threshold of depression in older adults. The scale ranges from 0 to 15 with higher scores indicating worse depression. The change in score pre and post intervention was determined by subtracting the post intervention score from the pre intervention score and the mean of the change scores was calculated. Mean change calculated as week 14 minus baseline for caregivers who completed the measure.

This tool is a 10-point self-report measure to capture distress and identify a list of sources of that distress. The scale ranges from 0-10 with higher scores indicating more distress. Mean change calculated as week 14 minus baseline for caregivers who completed the measure.

This is a 7-item measure to assess relationship quality that ranges from 0-36 with higher scores indicating positive relationship quality. The change in score pre and post intervention was determined by subtracting the post intervention score from the pre intervention score and the mean of the change scores was calculated.

18-item measure assessing perceived received and provided support. Scale 0-145, higher scores indicate better dyadic coping. Mean change calculated as week 14 minus baseline for caregivers who completed the measure.

Distress measured using Distress Thermometer (0-10, higher = more distress). Pearson correlation coefficient between patient and caregiver distress scores calculated at baseline and week 14; mean change = week 14 minus baseline.

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System 29-item profile (PROMIS29) - Depression Domain. Scores range from 0-10, with higher scores indicating worse depression. Mean change was calculated as week 14 minus baseline. Mean change calculated as week 14 minus baseline for caregivers who completed both assessments.

PROMIS29 - Anxiety Domain. Scores range from 0-10, with higher scores indicating worse anxiety. Mean change calculated as week 14 minus baseline. The change in score pre and post intervention was determined by subtracting the post intervention score from the pre intervention score and the mean of the change scores was calculated.

PROMIS29 - Physical Function Domain. Scores range from 0-10, with higher scores indicating worse physical function. Mean change calculated as week 14 minus baseline. The change in score pre and post intervention was determined by subtracting the post intervention score from the pre intervention score and the mean of the change scores was calculated.

PROMIS29 - Pain Interference Domain. Scores range from 0-10, with higher scores indicating more pain interference. Mean change calculated as week 14 minus baseline. The change in score pre and post intervention was determined by subtracting the post intervention score from the pre intervention score and the mean of the change scores was calculated.

PROMIS29 - Fatigue Domain. Scores range from 0-10, with higher scores indicating worse fatigue. Mean change calculated as week 14 minus baseline. The change in score pre and post intervention was determined by subtracting the post intervention score from the pre intervention score and the mean of the change scores was calculated.

PROMIS29 - Sleep Disturbance Domain. Scores range from 0-10, with higher scores indicating worse sleep disturbance. Mean change calculated as week 14 minus baseline. The change in score pre and post intervention was determined by subtracting the post intervention score from the pre intervention score and the mean of the change scores was calculated.

PROMIS29 - Ability to Participate in Social Roles Domain. Scores range from 0-10, with higher scores indicating worse social role participation. Mean change calculated as week 14 minus baseline. The change in score pre and post intervention was determined by subtracting the post intervention score from the pre intervention score and the mean of the change scores was calculated.