Mobile Health Application for Family Caregivers in Home Palliative Care

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Mobile Health Application: Participants in the intervention group will receive access to a mobile health application developed for family caregivers of patients receiving home palliative care. The application includes educational modules on palliative care and symptom management, daily care skills, medication management, nutrition and hygiene, pressure injury prevention, caregiver self-care, stress management, problem-solving, and healthcare utilization decision support. Participants will use the application for 6 weeks in addition to routine home palliative care services.

Study summary

Family caregivers play a central role in providing daily care for patients receiving home palliative care. However, caregiving responsibilities may lead to increased burden, stress, and difficulties in symptom management and care coordination. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions may provide accessible education, symptom monitoring, and decision-support resources to improve caregiver outcomes and patient care.

The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile health application developed for family caregivers of patients receiving home palliative care. The primary outcome is caregiver competence. Secondary outcomes include caregiver burden, self-efficacy, patient symptom burden, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations.

A total of 120 family caregivers will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which will use the mobile health application for 6 weeks in addition to usual care, or the control group, which will receive usual care alone. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention (Week 6), and follow-up (Week 18).

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Care Competency Scale for Family Caregivers in Home Palliative Care — Baseline, post-intervention at 6 weeks, and follow-up at 18 weeks
  Caregiver competence will be assessed using the Care Competency Scale for Family Caregivers in Home Palliative Care. The scale consists of 29 items scored on a 1-5 Likert scale and evaluates caregiving knowledge, skills, preparedness, relational competence, emotional competence, and support-seeking competence. Total scores range from 29 to 145, with higher scores indicating greater caregiver competence.

Trial sites (1)

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