Trajectories of fatigue in family caregivers of patients undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer

Barbara A Swore Fletcher, Karen L. Schumacher, Marylin Dodd, Steven M. Paul, Bruce A. Cooper, Kathryn Lee, Claudia West, Bradley E. Aouizerat, Patrick S. Swift, William Wara, Christine Miaskowski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Predictors of and trajectories for evening and morning fatigue were evaluated in family caregivers of oncology patients using hierarchical linear modeling. Evening fatigue trajectory fit a quadratic model. Predictors included baseline sleep disturbances in family caregivers and baseline evening fatigue in patients. Morning fatigue trajectory fit a linear model. Predictors were baseline trait anxiety, levels of perceived family support, and baseline morning fatigue in patients. Findings suggest considerable inter-individual variability in the trajectories of evening and morning fatigue. Evaluating family caregivers for sleep disturbance, anxiety, and poor family support, as well as high levels of patient fatigue, could identify those family caregivers at highest risk for sustained fatigue trajectories.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)125-139
Number of pages15
JournalResearch in Nursing and Health
Volume32
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2009

Keywords

  • Family caregivers
  • Fatigue
  • Hierarchical linear modeling
  • Prostate cancer
  • Radiation therapy
  • Trajectories

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Nursing

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