Clinical Trial on Mindfulness with Family Caregivers for Patients with Cancer.

To examine the effectiveness of a brief mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) and educational interventions (EI) on self-efficacy and burden among family caregivers (FCs) of patients with cancer in Jordan. A quasi-experimental design was conducted. Two interventions were performed: the brief MBIs and the EIs were applied. A sampling of 138 FCs completed the study interventions. The FCs in the mindfulness group demonstrated a significant improvement in measures of self-efficacy and reduction in burden scores. Furthermore, in the EI group, only self-efficacy was significantly higher in the post-test. Burden reduction was significantly higher in the EI group than the mindfulness group. Appropriate supportive interventions should be directed to improve self-efficacy and reduce burden to assist FCs to carry out their crucial role in providing care for their patients.

Predictors of burden and quality of sleep among family caregivers of patients with cancer.

PURPOSES: This study aimed to (1) assess the levels of burden and quality of sleep among family caregivers (FCs) of patients with cancer and (2) examine the predictors of burden among FCs of patients with cancer in Jordan. METHODS: A convenience sample of 111 FCs of patients with cancer has completed the Caregiver Burden Inventory and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to assess the levels of burden and quality of sleep. RESULTS: The mean and (standard deviation) of burden for FCs was 37.9 (16.3) indicating high level of burden. The mean and (standard deviation) of quality of sleep for FCs was 9.1 (4.3) reflecting poor quality of sleep. The multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the significant predictors of burden. The study model was able to explain 36% of variance in burden. Burden was significantly predicted by poor quality of sleep for FCs, stage of cancer for patients, side effects of treatment, presence of chronic illnesses among FCs, and the level of education for FCs. CONCLUSIONS: Supportive care for FCs, considering all predictors of burden, needs to be considered in order to reduce their burden, which will consequently maintain their caregiving role.

The implementation of mindfulness-based interventions and educational interventions to support family caregivers of patients with cancer: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: This review aims to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) and educational interventions (EIs) as supportive care for family caregivers (FCs) of patients with cancer. DESIGN AND METHODS: Review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. The search protocol was performed using EBSCO, Google Scholar, and Science Direct for the studies published between 2007 and 2017. FINDINGS: Little evidence is available on the usefulness of MBIs among FCs of patients with cancer. However, the available evidence supports that MBIs have the potential to enhance overall well-being and reduce the burden for FCs. EIs have shown positive outcomes on some aspects of well-being and reducing the burden. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The findings provide preliminary support for effectiveness of MBIs and EIs as a supportive care for FCs.

Self-reported adherence to therapeutic regimens among patients with hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: To assess Jordanian hypertensive patients' adherence rate to hypertension therapeutic regimen (HTR) and to identify the strongest predictors of adherence rate among such patients. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: A descriptive comparison design and convenience sampling were used. The sample comprised 192 participants who came to their regular appointments in a public healthcare center. MEASUREMENT: The Hill-Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale and the Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale were used to assess adherence to HTR and knowledge of hypertension, respectively. RESULTS: The mean total score for adherence to HTR was 87.3, and 82.8% of participants reported good adherence overall. Adherence scores were significantly higher among women, less educated, unemployed participants, those with comorbidities, those with a negative family history of hypertension, and those who visited their physicians regularly. To identify the most significant predictors of adherence to HTR, multiple linear regression analysis was performed. Results indicated that good adherence to HTR was predicted by greater knowledge about hypertension and regularly visiting a physician. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to taking antihypertensive medications was good overall among the study participants; these participants, however, were less interested in adherence to reduced sodium intake and keeping up with medical appointments. Hypertensive patients appear to follow instructions related to pharmacological management and are less likely to comply with other elements of HTR.

Assessing Public's Knowledge About Hypertension in a Community-Dwelling Sample.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases that affect a high proportion of people worldwide. Understanding people's levels of knowledge about hypertension might contribute effectively to nurses' efforts to prevent, treat, and control the disease. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to identify the levels of knowledge about hypertension disease among Jordanian adults and to identify differences in knowledge about hypertension on the basis of sociodemographic and clinical variables. METHODS: A convenience sample was used in this descriptive comparison design as was the Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale, which measures 6 dimensions of knowledge about hypertension (definition, treatment, drug compliance, lifestyle, diet, and complications). RESULTS: There were 284 participants, and the mean total knowledge about hypertension was 73.65. The participants had higher levels of knowledge about lifestyle and complications; lower scores were recorded for definition of hypertension as well as the relationship between diet and hypertension. Participants with higher education levels, who watched health programs, exercised regularly, visited their physicians regularly, and had other chronic diseases, had greater knowledge about hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Although the total level of knowledge about hypertension is good among the participants, more efforts are needed to improve all dimensions of hypertension-related knowledge. Sociodemographic and clinical variables have significant relationships with levels of knowledge about hypertension. This necessitates the importance of considering these variables when designing and providing health educational programs.