Published online Oct 6, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i28.8413
Peer-review started: March 22, 2021
First decision: May 11, 2021
Revised: May 12, 2021
Accepted: August 16, 2021
Article in press: August 16, 2021
Published online: October 6, 2021
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease. Nursing education for family caregivers is considered a workable and effective intervention, but the validity of this intervention in RA has not been reported.
To explore whether family caregiver nursing education (FCNE) works on patients with RA and the factors that influence FCNE.
In this randomized controlled study, a sample of 158 pairs was included in the study with 80 in the intervention group and 78 in the control group. Baseline data of patients and caregivers was collected. The FCNE intervention was admi
Baseline characteristics of the intervention and the control groups had no significant difference. Indicators were significantly reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group. The intervention group showed significant differences in stratification of relationship, education duration and age.
The effect of FCNE on RA is multifaceted, weakening inflammation level, alleviating disease activity and relieving mood disorder. Relationship between caregiver and patient, caregiver’s education level and patient’s age may act as impact factors of FCNE.
Core Tip: Education for family caregivers is considered a workable and effective intervention, but the validity of this intervention in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not been reported. Therefore, we designed a health education program called family caregiver nursing education, a series of professional training courses for family caregivers that focused on care techniques of RA patients and main points of RA-related knowledge. We chose a total of nine characteristic indicators in terms of inflammation level, disease activity and mood disorder for a 6 mo intervention and follow-up to assess the effect of family caregiver nursing education on RA in multiple ways.