Efectividad de la técnica de resolución de problemas aplicada por enfermeras: disminución de la ansiedad y la depresión en cuidadoras familiares / Effectiveness of problem solving technique applied by nurses: Decreased anxiety and depression in family caregivers

Objetivo: Conocer la efectividad de la técnica de resolución de problemas en la reducción de la ansiedad y la depresión, y en el aumento del bienestar percibido en cuidadoras familiares de personas dependientes. Diseño: Ensayo clínico. Emplazamiento: Centros de atención primaria de Tarragona, España. Período 2007-2011. Participantes: Muestra 122 cuidadoras de pacientes incluidos en programa de atención domiciliaria, con síntomas de ansiedad, depresión o bienestar emocional comprometido. Se asignaron aleatoriamente al grupo control o de intervención. Intervenciones: En el grupo experimental las enfermeras aplicaban a la cuidadora, durante las visitas domiciliarias, la técnica según protocolo de 4 sesiones. En el grupo control la enfermera realizó la atención habitual. Al mes de finalizar la intervención, se realizó nuevamente la medición de las variables dependientes en ambos grupos. Mediciones principales: Las variables dependientes, ansiedad y depresión, se midieron mediante la escala Goldberg y el bienestar emocional mediante la escala de salud emocional del cuidador principal. Resultados: Se detecta una mejora estadísticamente significativa en el grupo intervención de los síntomas de ansiedad, depresión y bienestar percibido en relación con el grupo control. Conclusiones: La técnica de resolución de problemas es una herramienta terapéutica útil para la disminución de los síntomas de malestar emocional de las cuidadoras familiares de pacientes crónicos(AU)

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of Problem Solving Technique in reducing anxiety and depression, and increased perceived well-being in women family caregivers of chronic patients. Design: A clinical trial. Field of study: Health centres in Tarragona, Spain, during 2007-2011. Participants: A sample 122 caregivers of patients in home care programs that met the inclusion criteria, were assigned to intervention or control group according to a simple random process. Interventions: In the experimental group, the nurses applied the Problem Solving Technique to the caregiver according to a four-session protocol. The nurses provided the usual care to the caregivers In the control group. One month after intervention, the dependent vriables were measured again in both groups. Principal measurement: The dependent variables of anxiety and depression were measured using the Goldberg scale, and the emotional well-being variable by the scale of emotional health of the primary caregiver. Results: A statistically significant improvement was detected in the anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as the perceived well-being in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusions: Implementation of the Problem Solving Technique is a useful therapeutic tool for reducing symptoms of distress in family caregivers of chronic patients(AU)

[Effectiveness of problem solving technique applied by nurses: decreased anxiety and depression in family caregivers]. / Efectividad de la técnica de resolución de problemas aplicada por enfermeras: disminución de la ansiedad y la depresión en cuidadoras familiares.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of Problem Solving Technique in reducing anxiety and depression, and increased perceived well-being in women family caregivers of chronic patients. DESIGN: A clinical trial FIELD OF STUDY: Health centres in Tarragona, Spain, during 2007-2011. PARTICIPANTS: A sample 122 caregivers of patients in home care programs that met the inclusion criteria, were assigned to intervention or control group according to a simple random process. INTERVENTIONS: In the experimental group, the nurses applied the Problem Solving Technique to the caregiver according to a four-session protocol. The nurses provided the usual care to the caregivers In the control group. One month after intervention, the dependent vriables were measured again in both groups. PRINCIPAL MEASUREMENT: The dependent variables of anxiety and depression were measured using the Goldberg scale, and the emotional well-being variable by the scale of emotional health of the primary caregiver. RESULTS: A statistically significant improvement was detected in the anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as the perceived well-being in the intervention group compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the Problem Solving Technique is a useful therapeutic tool for reducing symptoms of distress in family caregivers of chronic patients.