The Development and Evaluation of Navigation Program for Caregivers of Stroke Patients Admitted to a Rehabilitation Centers: A Pilot Study

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a navigation program for family caregivers of stroke patients admitted to a rehabilitation hospital and evaluate differences in caregiver outcomes before and after the intervention. Methods: The navigation program consists of education, demonstration and return demonstration. To evaluate the program, we conducted a quasi-experimental study in 44 caregivers (22 experimental group received the navigation program vs. 22 controls group did not received). Caregivers completed the burden, anxiety, depression, self efficacy, caregiving mastery, quality of life, and patient's Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Data were collected using self-report structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 21.0 with the x 2-test, and independent t-test. Results: Compared with the control group, caregivers who received the navigation program reported significant decrease in caregiver burden, depressive symptoms and anxiety and significant improvement in their mastery, self-efficacy, quality of life and patient's ADL. Conclusion: Delivering the navigation program to family caregivers of stroke patients in a rehabilitation hospital setting was feasible. Our results provide preliminary support for the navigation program to reduce negative outcomes (e.g., burden, anxiety, depression) and improve positive outcomes (e.g., mastery, self efficacy, quality of life, patient's activities of daily living) in family caregivers who experience first stroke diagnosis of their loved one.