Effectiveness of the Online Daily Diary (ONDIARY) program on family caregivers of advanced cancer patients: A home-based palliative care trial

Objectives: There are many effective palliative care programs for patients with advanced cancer. However, little is known about effective programs for family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer, especially in home-based palliative care settings. This study aimed to determine the effect of the Online Daily Diary (ONDIARY) program on the quality of life (QOL) of family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer in home-based palliative care settings. Methods: This study used a quasi-experimental design with a control group. The sample comprised 60 family caregivers (intervention group n = 30, control group n = 30) of patients with advanced cancer receiving home based palliative care. The intervention group was assigned to the ONDIARY program in addition to usual care, and the control group was assigned to usual care. Group allocation was not randomized. The ONDIARY program is a 7-day online diary intervention program that aims to enhance emotional competence. Outcome measures were feasibility assessment, and primary and secondary outcome assessment. Primary and secondary outcome measures were the Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC) and the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Repeated measures analysis of variance was performed on each measure, with group and group x time interactions. Results: There was a significant group x time interaction in CQOLC scores (F = 9.324, P = 0.003). The CQOLC scores of family caregivers in the intervention group were maintained after the intervention, whereas those in the control group declined. There was no significant difference in K6 scores between the two groups. Conclusion: The results suggest that the ONDIARY program in addition to usual care has potential to be effective in preventing decline and maintaining QOL of family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer in home-based palliative care settings.