A Dyadic Approach to Cancer Care: Examining the Feasibility and Preliminary Effectiveness of a Partner-Based Exercise Intervention for Caregivers and Their Care Recipients

TL;DR

This study explores a shared exercise program for cancer patients and their caregivers, finding it feasible and beneficial, though it may increase caregiver burden.

Contribution

The study introduces a dyadic exercise intervention for cancer caregivers and patients, highlighting its feasibility and mixed outcomes.

Findings

Participants completed 96.3% of exercise sessions, indicating strong adherence.

Improved physical activity, sit-to-stand performance, and social functioning were observed post-intervention.

Caregivers reported increased perceived burden after the intervention.

Abstract

Despite being key partners in the supportive care of the cancer patient, family caregivers are often inadequately prepared for or supported to take on this critical role, subsequently putting their own wellbeing at risk and, by extension, that of the patient. Exercise interventions show promise in mitigating caregiver burden and improving health outcomes for both caregivers and patients; however, the interrelationship between family caregiver and care recipient has gone largely unexplored. Thus, we conducted a single-group pilot study to examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a 12-week dyadic exercise intervention. Of the 27 caregiver–patient dyads who consented, 21 (77.8%) completed the study, with participants completing an average of 23.1 (96.3%) of the prescribed exercise sessions, suggesting good adherence and study retention. All participants reported higher post-intervention levels of strenuous physical activity (p = 0.017), improved sit-to-stand repetitions (p = 0.004), and social functioning (p = 0.030) compared to baseline. Of note, caregivers reported higher post-intervention scores on the burden in relationship subscale of the Zarit Burden Interview relative to baseline (p = 0.043), suggesting an increase in perceived caregiver burden following the intervention. Overall, dyadic exercise interventions appear feasible and may confer certain physical and psychosocial benefits for both family caregivers and care recipients. However, such programs may also unintentionally exacerbate certain aspects of caregiver burden. Future research should aim to identify factors within dyadic exercise interventions that may contribute to increased caregiver burden, as well as strategies to help mitigate these effects.