Ferrell, B.R., Grant, M., Chan, J., Ahn, C., & Ferrell, B.A. (1995). The impact of cancer pain education on family caregivers of elderly patients. Oncology Nursing Forum, 22(8), 1211–1218.

Pain-related instruction was given by a nurse with 10 years’ experience in oncology and 2 years’ experience in cancer pain management.

• Part I: general information about pain
• Part II: pharmacologic information
• Part III: principles and techniques of nondrug management of pain

Audiotapes of verbal content were left with patients and caregivers at the end of each of the first two sessions. Each session was approximately one hour long, with five total visits—three to provide information and two for follow-up. Cost was $50 per patient to purchase nondrug intervention equipment such as cold packs, massagers, and relaxation tapes. Caregivers and patients were present at each visit.

• N = 50 family caregivers of patients who were 60 years of age or older, diagnosed with cancer, had reported cancer-related pain for at least three months, and used opioid analgesics.

• Home

The study design was quasi-experimental with major limitations.

• Caregiver burden tool
• Quality of life tool
• Family pain questionnaire

Significant improvements were found in quality of life (psychological well-being, social well-being, and total quality of life) from pre- to postintervention.

The intervention was associated with improvements in caregivers’ knowledge about pain and their experience caring for patients in pain.

The study had no randomization, post-test mean scores were not provided, and significance testing was not supplied. Caregiver burden scores were reported only at baseline.