A Visual Case-Oriented Analysis of Stress-Related Symptoms in Caregivers of Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation Recipients

Objectives: To describe trends in caregiver stress and stress-related symptoms (anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbance) across 12 weeks post-transplantation.

Sample & Setting: 11 caregivers were recruited from a National Cancer Institute–designated comprehensive cancer center’s bone marrow transplantation (BMT) outpatient clinic in the southeastern United States.

Methods & Variables: A visual case-oriented analysis was conducted on data from 11 caregivers’ weekly self-reported data to identify trends after allogeneic BMT.

Results: The authors identified three primary trends as follows: U-shaped (highest symptoms at start of transplantation and end of study; n = 3), negatively sloped (highest symptoms at beginning of transplantation and decreasing over time; n = 2), and V-shaped predischarge (highest symptoms at start of transplantation and right before discharge home; n = 4). Two caregivers did not have postdischarge data because of patient death prior to study completion.

Implications for Nursing: Caregivers may benefit from additional support to manage their stress-related symptoms at the start of transplantation and just before discharge.