ASSESSING CAREGIVER OUTCOMES OF PRIMARY BRAIN TUMOR PATIENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Recommended Citation
Walbert T, Cachia D, Hertler C, Sherwood P, Dirven L, Young J, Stockdill M, Almaraz ER, Pill K, Boele F. ASSESSING CAREGIVER OUTCOMES OF PRIMARY BRAIN TUMOR PATIENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26(Suppl 8):viii226-viii227.
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
11-11-2024
Publication Title
Neuro Oncol
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Family caregivers in neuro-oncology are known to have high levels of unmet support needs. Intervention trials and effective support options are scarce. The Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO-) Cares working group has been established to determine standards of caregiver outcomes (CO) research reporting in neuro-oncology. We present the current state of methodological quality of reporting on neuro-oncology caregiver outcomes in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: A systematic literature review (PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Emcare, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO; July 2023) was performed to assess to what degree RCTs assessing outcomes of family caregivers of adult primary brain tumor patients adhere to established reporting standards. Using Covidence, screening and data extraction was independently performed by two researchers, with a third guiding consensus. A 33-item checklist (23 applicable to secondary analysis reports) based on the International Society for Quality of Life (ISOQOL) Research criteria for patient-reported outcome reporting was utilized to assess reporting standards. Risk of bias was assessed per RCT. RESULTS: Fifteen publications (12 unique RCTs) included 684 neuro-oncology caregivers, with low overall risk of bias. Ten publications (66%) reported on COs as a primary aim and eight (80%) of these satisfied ≥2/3 of the key methodological criteria. Of the five secondary analysis reports (33%) two met ≥2/3 of applicable key criteria. Criteria often missed are related to sample size calculations, details on statistical approaches, discussion of limitations and clinical significance of studies. Only three of the 12 RCTs were definitive trials aimed at improving COs and five should be considered as pilot or feasibility studies. CONCLUSION: RCTs investigating neuro-oncology COs have high reporting standards and risk of bias was low. Future studies should focus on specific caregiver interventions to reduce high caregiver burden and with that patients' quality of life.
Volume
26
Issue
Suppl 8
First Page
viii226
Last Page
viii227
