A couple-based dyadic coping intervention for colorectal cancer patient-spousal caregiver dyads: A randomized controlled study

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical effects of a couple-focused dyadic coping intervention in colorectal cancer (CRC) couples. Methods: The study was a single-blinded randomized controlled study which 226 CRC couples were recruited and randomized to either the intervention (N = 113) or the control (N = 113) group. All couples received usual care while the six-week dyadic coping intervention was provided to the intervened couples in psycho-education and skill training methods through face-to-face combined with telephone formats. Measurement data, including dyadic coping, marital satisfaction, quality of life and psychological well-being were collected at pre- and postintervention periods. And multilevel model (MLM) was applied to analyze the effects of the intervention and the role tendency. Results: A total of 173 couples completed the program and post-intervention evaluation. The retention rate was 76.5%. Results from MLM showed that the dyadic coping intervention is effective in promoting levels of dyadic coping (P < 0.001), marital satisfaction (P = 0.042), mental health (P = 0.006), and positive psychological wellbeing (P < 0.001), and alleviating depression (P = 0.015) in CRC couples. For role tendency, the intervention found to be more effective in CRC spousal caregivers' positive psychological well-being compared to the patients (P = 0.037). Conclusion: The couple-based dyadic coping intervention is effective in promoting dyadic coping and improving psychological adjustment in CRC couples. More studies were needed to further evaluate the program and its longterm efficacy in the future. In addition, given the positive effects of the intervention, clinical nursing stuffs may consider implementing such intervention in their routine work while caring for CRC couples.