A quasi-experimental study to assess the effectiveness of structured counseling among caregivers of heart failure patients on selected outcomes

Background: In India, heart failure (HF) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases. Caregivers are essential and play an important role in bridging the gap in providing care to HF patients. Caregivers' demanding and difficult roles can result in a significant burden, which may lead to stress and symptoms of depression. Aim and Objectives: The objective of the study is to assess the effectiveness of structured counseling on caregiver burden, stress, and depression among caregivers of HF patients. Materials and Methods: Sixty caregivers of patients with HF were selected using consecutive sampling and divided into control and experimental groups. A one-on-one, 30-min structured counseling session was delivered telephonically to caregivers of HF patients. A pretest was taken before the intervention and posttest 1 month later, through telephone, on caregiver burden, stress, and depression using the caregiver burden interview, Perceived Stress Scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Results: The experimental group showed a significant reduction in caregiver burden (P = 0.001), stress (P = 0.001), and depression (P = 0.001) scores at 1 month. Female caregivers showed a significantly higher caregiver burden (P = 0.046) and depression (P = 0.019), and nuclear families showed a significantly higher caregiver burden (P = 0.016) and depression (P = 0.027). There was a significant positive correlation between stress and the presence of comorbidities (P = 0.021) and depression and the presence of comorbidities (P = 0.042). Conclusions: Structured counseling was effective in reducing caregiver burden and decreasing stress and depression in caregivers of HF patients.