Reducing Distress in Caregivers of Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation With Remotely Accessible Interventions: An Integrative Review.

Abstract

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an intensive treatment requiring the support of a caregiver. This role is a highly demanding responsibility, and caregivers often face distress. In a world that has become highly technological, the aim of this integrative review is to determine the availability and impact of remote interventions in reducing distress in caregivers of HSCT patients. A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases. The search included articles published between January 1, 2013, and February 20, 2023. The search yielded 699 unique articles, of which four were included in the final review. The four included studies of the impact of remote interventions on distress or burden in caregivers of adult HSCT patients. Two organizing themes emerged: availability and impact. Availability encompassed intervention accessibility and delivery type while impact considered caregiver quality of life (QOL), mental health, and perceived usefulness. These themes were evaluated in the articles via a variety of validated assessment tools and structured interviews. Ultimately, this integrative review suggests that while remote interventions for caregivers of patients undergoing HSCT are relatively limited, initial studies are perceived as useful and are promising in their potential to improve caregiver QOL and mental health and reduce distress.