Volume 23, Issue 4 (Special Issue 2025)
Nursing and Midwifery Journal 2025, 23(4): 51-59 |
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Research code: 9812069405
Ethics code: IR.UMSHA.REC.1398.149
Clinical trials code: IRCT20170130032303N6
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Jamehbozorg M, Shamsizadeh M, Kamyari N, Azizi A. Evaluating the Impact of a Structured Educational Program with Telephone Follow-up on Caregiver Burden in Multiple Sclerosis: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Iran. Nursing and Midwifery Journal 2025; 23 (4) :51-59
URL: http://unmf.umsu.ac.ir/article-1-5530-en.html
URL: http://unmf.umsu.ac.ir/article-1-5530-en.html
1- Master of Science in Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
2- 2Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
3- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran
4- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran & Chronic Diseases (Home Care) Research Center, Institute of Cancer, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran ,azimazizi1360@gmail.com
2- 2Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
3- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran
4- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran & Chronic Diseases (Home Care) Research Center, Institute of Cancer, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran ,
Abstract: (173 Views)
Background Caregivers of individuals with multiple sclerosis experience considerable burdens. Given that educational and supportive interventions can reduce caregiver strain, telephone-based programs offer a potentially accessible and cost-effective solution; however, structured telephone follow-up initiatives remain under-researched in the Middle East. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a face‑to‑face educational program with telephone follow‑up on caregiver burden among family caregivers of patients with multiple sclerosis in Iran.
Methods This quasi-experimental study was conducted in Iran from 2019 to 2020. Ninety-five family caregivers of multiple sclerosis patients were recruited through convenience sampling and, to minimize contamination, allocated by attendance day after a simple random draw: odd days to the control group (n = 47) and even days to the intervention group (n = 48). The intervention group received three face-to-face educational sessions plus one month of telephone follow-up, whereas the control group received routine care. Caregiver burden was self-assessed using the Zarit Burden Interview at baseline and two months post-intervention. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 25.
Results Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups (all p > 0.05). The intervention group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.001), whereas the control group did not show a significant change (p = 0.257). The post-intervention difference between the groups, assessed using an independent t-test, was statistically significant (p < 0.001).
Conclusion This single‑center, non‑blinded trial with a two‑month follow‑up suggests that a combined educational and telephone follow‑up program may reduce caregiver burden in family caregivers of MS patients. Although the intervention is low‑cost and scalable, further multi-center, blinded studies with longer follow‑up are needed before recommending routine integration into multiple sclerosis care.
Methods This quasi-experimental study was conducted in Iran from 2019 to 2020. Ninety-five family caregivers of multiple sclerosis patients were recruited through convenience sampling and, to minimize contamination, allocated by attendance day after a simple random draw: odd days to the control group (n = 47) and even days to the intervention group (n = 48). The intervention group received three face-to-face educational sessions plus one month of telephone follow-up, whereas the control group received routine care. Caregiver burden was self-assessed using the Zarit Burden Interview at baseline and two months post-intervention. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 25.
Results Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups (all p > 0.05). The intervention group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.001), whereas the control group did not show a significant change (p = 0.257). The post-intervention difference between the groups, assessed using an independent t-test, was statistically significant (p < 0.001).
Conclusion This single‑center, non‑blinded trial with a two‑month follow‑up suggests that a combined educational and telephone follow‑up program may reduce caregiver burden in family caregivers of MS patients. Although the intervention is low‑cost and scalable, further multi-center, blinded studies with longer follow‑up are needed before recommending routine integration into multiple sclerosis care.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Digital Nursing
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