The Effect of Education Brain Tumors

The Effect of the Education for Brain Tumor Patients and Their Caregivers on the Quality of Life and Care Burden

This study was designed to evaluate the impact of education programs for patients with primary brain tumors and their caregivers on quality of life and the burden of care experienced by caregivers.

Patients with brain tumors often face physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral challenges that negatively impact their quality of life (Townsley, 2014). A review of the literature indicates that, unlike patients with other types of cancer, brain tumor patients' greater dependence on others for daily activities causes stress for caregivers, increases the burden of care, and reduces caregivers' quality of life (Özdingiş, 2020; Maşalacı, 2017; Schubart et al., 2007; Olver et al., 2020; Cashman et al., 2019).

Previous studies have noted that nursing interventions for patients with primary brain tumors are limited; however, it has been observed that such interventions improve patients' cognitive and emotional well-being and reduce the care burden on caregivers (Halkett et al. 2018; Langbecker and Janda, 2015; Tokunaga et al., 2024). A review of the national literature on education and counseling provided by nurses to patients revealed a limited number of studies, which emphasized the need to also provide education to family members during the disease adaptation process (Baksi Şimşek, 2013). It is anticipated that the results of this study will contribute to nursing practices and research.

Hypotheses:

H1: The quality of life of patients with primary brain tumors who receive structured education is higher than that of patients who receive routine/standard education.

H2: The severity of symptoms in patients with primary brain tumors who receive structured education is lower than that of patients who receive routine/standard education.

H3: The quality of life of caregivers for patients with primary brain tumors who receive structured education is higher than that of caregivers for patients who receive routine/standard education.

H4: The burden of care for caregivers of patients with primary brain tumors who receive structured education is lower than that of caregivers for patients who receive routine/standard education.

Inclusion Criteria

For Patients

• Aged >18 years
• Undergoing primary brain tumor surgery for the first time
• Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15
• Able to assess and express symptoms
• Literate in Turkish
• No psychiatric history
• Not using psychiatric medication
• Willing to participate and provide consent

For Caregivers

• Aged >18 years
• Primary caregiver providing care for at least 3 months
• Open to communication and cooperation
• No psychiatric history
• Not using psychiatric medication
• Willing to participate and provide consent

Exclusion Criteria

• Not meeting the inclusion criteria
• Intubated patients
• Patients with metastatic brain tumors
• Patients with pituitary tumors