Empower GBM: A pilot study of a patient–caregiver supportive intervention for patients with glioblastoma
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Objectives The aim of this article is to develop and pilot test a new supportive care intervention, Empower GBM, designed for patients with glioblastoma and their family caregivers to reduce psychological distress and improve quality of life. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted with patients diagnosed with glioblastoma and their caregivers to obtain information about their experiences and needs in coping with glioblastoma. We also gathered their feedback about the supportive care intervention we were proposing (Phase I). Following Phase I, we conducted a single-arm pilot to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the 6-session intervention (Phase II). Results During interviews (N = 14), patients and caregivers reported having the most difficulty and distress surrounding disease progression and management, maintaining dignity and autonomy, negotiation of roles and responsibilities, and maintaining connection with one another. Participants endorsed that an intervention like Empower GBM with skills focused on managing symptoms to increase independence, increasing caregiving efficacy and support, and coping with dyadic challenges would be of potential benefit. Preliminary results from the pilot study (N = 11) suggested the intervention is both feasible (e.g., 82% completed all 6 sessions and post-treatment surveys) and acceptable (88.9% reported a mean satisfaction score of 3 or higher; mean score of 3.57/4.0). Improvements in psychological outcomes, functional well-being, and caregiving efficacy from pre- to post-treatment survey results suggested the potential benefits of the intervention. Significance of results We developed a novel supportive care intervention informed by the dyadic illness model that is designed to meet the individual and interpersonal needs of patients with glioblastoma and their caregivers. Unique features include its flexibility to be delivered to patients and/or their family caregivers individually or jointly, while providing skills and strategies to meet the needs of both individuals and the dyad as the unit of care in coping with glioblastoma.
Source: UNC Libraries
DOI: 10.17615/z001-a908
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Language: English
Topic: Cancer survivorship and care
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, American Academy of Audiology Foundation, McKnight Foundation, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, National Foundation for Science and Technology Development, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, University of Essex, Wellcome Trust, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, UK Research and Innovation, Innovative Research Group Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Univerzita Hradec Králové, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Good Ventures Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Japan Science and Technology Corporation, University of Melbourne, National Natural Science Foundation of China, ZonMw, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Austrian Science Fund, China Pharmaceutical University, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Mitacs, Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Rigshospitalet, Vysoká Škola Ekonomická v Praze, Jinhua Science and Technology Bureau, Alberta Innovates, European Association for Endoscopic Surgery and other Interventional Techniques, Instituto Serrapilheira, Vision Group on Science and Technology, National Institutes of Health, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Office of Science, Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Cancer Center, University of Colorado, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Vanderbilt Vision Research Center, Vanderbilt University, Economic and Social Research Council, Australian Research Council, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Estudios de Posgrado, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Anhui Provincial Key Research and Development Plan, National Institute of Mental Health, Fogarty International Center, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Division of Chemistry, Sandia National Laboratories, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Key Research and Development Program of Zhejiang Province, City of Calgary
OpenAlex ID: W7163342058