Exercise for Caregiver Burnout

(C4C+ Trial)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Melanie Keats

Disqualifiers: Exceeding activity guidelines, Health conditions, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this preference-based pilot study will be to assess the feasibility and acceptability, and impact of a 12-week exercise intervention on oncology care provider burnout. Participants self-select to participate into one of two exercise groups. Group assignment will be based on participant preference. Group 1: Supervised circuit-based resistance exercise Group 2: Nature-based walking

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Circuit-based Resistance Training, Circuit-based Resistance Training + Home-based Walking, Home-based Walking for caregiver burnout?

Research shows that exercise training can improve the mental and physical health of caregivers, with a small-to-medium positive effect. Regular exercise has also been found to reduce the sense of burden and improve sleep quality in caregivers of dementia patients. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is exercise safe for caregivers experiencing burnout?

Research suggests that exercise, including home-based walking and resistance training, is generally safe and can improve both physical and mental health for caregivers. These activities are feasible and potentially beneficial, with no significant safety concerns reported in the studies. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

How does the treatment for caregiver burnout differ from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it combines circuit-based resistance training and home-based walking, which are forms of physical exercise that can improve both mental and physical health. Unlike other treatments that may focus solely on psychological support, this approach emphasizes physical activity, which has been shown to benefit caregivers by reducing stress and improving overall well-being. ^{1 5 9 10 11}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 who are paid caregivers to cancer patients within the Nova Scotia Cancer Care Program. It's designed for those actively practicing and looking to reduce burnout and improve well-being.

Inclusion Criteria

Must be providing formal (paid) care to cancer patients in a clinical setting

I am 18 years old or older.

Actively practicing within the Nova Scotia Cancer Care Program

Exclusion Criteria

Exceeding Canadian physical activity guidelines of 150-minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week

Any health condition that would preclude safe participation in a new exercise program

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a 12-week exercise intervention, choosing between supervised circuit-based resistance exercise or nature-based walking

12 weeks

2-3 times per week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Circuit-based Resistance Training (Resistance Training)
• Circuit-based Resistance Training + Home-based Walking (Resistance Training)
• Home-based Walking (Walking Program)

Trial Overview The study tests a 12-week exercise program's effect on caregiver burnout. Participants choose from: supervised resistance training, resistance plus home walking/jogging, or a self-paced walking program.

Participant Groups

Group I: Circuit-based resistance exercise Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

12-week, supervised circuit-based resistance training program (2-3 times/week).

Group II: Nature Walking Active Control 1 Intervention

12-weeks self-paced walking in nature (2-3 times/week).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Melanie Keats

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

70+

Findings from Research

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 studies involving caregivers for individuals with chronic illnesses found that exercise training significantly improves both mental and physical health, with a small-to-medium effect size (0.30).

The results suggest that incorporating exercise into the routine of caregivers can be an effective strategy to mitigate the negative health impacts associated with caregiving responsibilities.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Exercise Training on the Mental and Physical Well-Being of Caregivers for Persons Living With Chronic Illnesses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Epps, F., To, H., Liu, TT., et al.[2021]

A six-week Vinyasa yoga intervention significantly improved the mental quality of life and reduced psychological distress among 12 informal caregivers for cancer patients, indicating its potential as a beneficial support strategy.

Participants reported physical benefits such as increased flexibility, strength, and energy, alongside mental health improvements, suggesting that Vinyasa yoga can enhance overall well-being for caregivers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of yoga on quality of life and psychological distress in caregivers for patients with cancer. Martin, AC., Keats, MR.[2022]

In a study involving 21 caregivers from three facilities, it was found that most caregivers experienced low levels of burn-out and perceived stress, along with satisfactory social support.

Caregivers with lower burn-out levels tended to use more functional coping strategies, while those with higher burn-out levels resorted to dysfunctional strategies, highlighting the need for support groups to enhance coping mechanisms and improve job satisfaction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Professional stress and social support feelings, coping strategies, and burn-out of caregivers in care facilities for dependent elderly people]. Tonna, S.[2021]

In a study involving 31 elderly caregivers of dementia patients, those who engaged in regular moderate-intensity exercise (3 times a week for 12 weeks) experienced significant reductions in caregiver burden and fatigue, along with improved sleep quality.

The control group, which did not participate in the exercise program, showed no such improvements, highlighting the potential benefits of exercise for enhancing the quality of life for caregivers of dementia patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of regular exercise on subjective sense of burden and physical symptoms in community-dwelling caregivers of dementia patients: a randomized controlled trial. Hirano, A., Suzuki, Y., Kuzuya, M., et al.[2022]

A 12-week home-based exercise program that combined psychoeducation with aerobic and resistance training significantly improved physical function in family caregivers of individuals with heart failure, as evidenced by better performance in the 6-minute walk test and strength measures.

Caregivers participating in the exercise program also reported significantly enhanced perceptions of their caregiving experience, indicating that physical activity can positively impact both physical health and emotional well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Intervention to Improve Physical Function and Caregiver Perceptions in Family Caregivers of Persons With Heart Failure. Gary, R., Dunbar, SB., Higgins, M., et al.[2021]

The dyadic intervention combining mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for caregivers and balance and progressive resistance training (PRT) for their loved ones significantly improved caregiver mindfulness and functional mobility in the loved ones, indicating potential benefits for both parties involved.

Despite these improvements, the intervention did not significantly reduce caregiver burden, suggesting that while mindfulness training is beneficial, additional strategies may be needed to address the challenges faced by caregivers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Caring for Informal Dementia Caregivers and Their Loved Ones Via the HOMeCARE Exercise and Mindfulness for Health Program (HOMeCARE): A Randomized, Single-Blind, Controlled Trial. Lang, T., Daniel, K., Inskip, M., et al.[2023]

The Pleasant Events Program (PEP) significantly reduced depressive symptoms and the inflammatory marker IL-6 in dementia caregivers over a 6-week intervention, with 32.7% of participants showing clinically significant improvement in depression compared to 11.8% in the control group.

PEP also led to a notable decrease in negative affect, indicating its potential effectiveness in improving both psychological and physiological health in caregivers, although long-term effects beyond the intervention period need further investigation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized clinical trial of Behavioral Activation (BA) therapy for improving psychological and physical health in dementia caregivers: results of the Pleasant Events Program (PEP). Moore, RC., Chattillion, EA., Ceglowski, J., et al.[2021]

Physical inactivity is a common issue among older family caregivers, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve their physical health.

A four-month supervised home-based physical activity program focusing on moderate-intensity exercises, like brisk walking, is feasible and may lead to improvements in both physical health (such as lower blood pressure) and psychological outcomes (like reduced anger expression).

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing physical and psychological functioning in older family caregivers: the role of regular physical activity. King, AC., Brassington, G.[2018]

The University of Arizona Elder Rehab program effectively provides structured exercise and cognitive activities for individuals with early to moderate stage dementia, addressing their unique challenges in accessing fitness programs.

This program not only benefits participants with dementia but also offers valuable experience for students serving as rehab partners, making it a cost-effective and replicable model that could also support frail and depressed elderly individuals without dementia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Elder rehab: a student-supervised exercise program for Alzheimer's patients. Arkin, SM.[2019]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Exercise Training on the Mental and Physical Well-Being of Caregivers for Persons Living With Chronic Illnesses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. [2021]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of yoga on quality of life and psychological distress in caregivers for patients with cancer. [2022]

3. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Professional stress and social support feelings, coping strategies, and burn-out of caregivers in care facilities for dependent elderly people]. [2021]

4. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of regular exercise on subjective sense of burden and physical symptoms in community-dwelling caregivers of dementia patients: a randomized controlled trial. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Intervention to Improve Physical Function and Caregiver Perceptions in Family Caregivers of Persons With Heart Failure. [2021]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Caregiver-mediated exercises for improving outcomes after stroke. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Caring for Informal Dementia Caregivers and Their Loved Ones Via the HOMeCARE Exercise and Mindfulness for Health Program (HOMeCARE): A Randomized, Single-Blind, Controlled Trial. [2023]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized clinical trial of Behavioral Activation (BA) therapy for improving psychological and physical health in dementia caregivers: results of the Pleasant Events Program (PEP). [2021]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing physical and psychological functioning in older family caregivers: the role of regular physical activity. [2018]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Systematic Review of Exercise for Caregiver-Care Recipient Dyads: What Is Best for Spousal Caregivers-Exercising Together or Not at All? [2022]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Elder rehab: a student-supervised exercise program for Alzheimer's patients. [2019]