Qol-08. longitudinal effects of a psychological intervention for caregivers of patients with primary malignant brain tumors: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Abstract BACKGROUND Caregivers of patients with primary malignant brain tumors (PMBT) experience high rates of anxiety. In our randomized controlled trial assessing the effects of a caregiver-directed, telehealth-based psychological intervention (“NeuroCARE”), NeuroCARE participants had significantly lower anxiety symptoms (primary outcome) and depression symptoms, and better self-efficacy and coping immediately post-intervention compared to usual care (UC). We subsequently examined the longitudinal effects of NeuroCARE on caregiver-reported outcomes across all study timepoints. METHODS We enrolled and randomized 120 caregivers of patients with PMBT to NeuroCARE (N = 60) versus usual supportive care (N = 60). Eligible participants had significant baseline anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 score ≥ 5). We collected caregiver-reported anxiety symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)–Anxiety Subscale), depression symptoms (HADS–Depression Subscale), self-efficacy (Lewis Cancer Self-Efficacy scale), coping (Measure of Current Status), quality of life (QOL; CareGiver Oncology Quality of Life survey), caregiver burden (Caregiver Reaction Assessment) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5) at baseline, 11 weeks (immediately post-intervention) and 16 weeks (one-month post-intervention). We used mixed effects linear regression models to assess longitudinal intervention effects on study outcomes. RESULTS Enrolled caregivers had a mean age of 53 years; the majority were female (99/120; 82.5%) and were the patient’s spouse/partner (84/120; 70%). NeuroCARE participants experienced greater improvement than UC in depression symptoms (change/week [slope]: -0.09 vs. -0.01, p = 0.041), self-efficacy (slope: 0.64 vs. -0.17, p = 0.006) and coping (slope: 0.31 vs. -0.01, p < 0.001). We observed non-statistically significant differences between NeuroCARE and UC for change in anxiety symptoms (slope: -0.13 vs. -0.05, p = 0.059) and QOL (slope: 0.26 vs. 0.04, p = 0.050). Study arms did not differ in longitudinal trajectories for caregiver burden or PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS NeuroCARE participants experienced greater improvements over time in depression symptoms, self-efficacy, and coping than UC participants, highlighting the sustained benefits of this caregiver-directed supportive intervention.