Developing and pilot-testing a Finding Balance Intervention for older adult bereaved family caregivers: A randomized feasibility trial.

Purpose: This study aimed to test the feasibility of a psychosocially supportive writing intervention focused on finding balance for older adult bereaved family caregivers of advanced cancer patients.

Method: The Finding Balance Intervention (FBI) was tested for feasibility, acceptability and potential influence on increasing hope, coping and balance through a multi-method pilot study employing a randomized trial design with 19 older adults with an average age of 72 years. The intervention group received the FBI and a follow up visit from an RN-RA. The control group received the FBI at a second visit. The FBI, a theory-based intervention was developed from grounded theory qualitative data, applying Delphi methods to design a self-administered, psychosocially supportive, writing intervention for older adults who had lost a spouse after caregiving.

Results: Feasibility was assessed and specific modifications identified. The FBI was easy to use, acceptable and of benefit. The FBI offered validation of emotions and ways to discover new ideas to find balance, which may enable bereaved caregivers to move forward on a unique journey through grief. The treatment group showed a statistically significant increase in restoration-oriented coping and higher oscillation activity.

Conclusions: The results suggest the FBI was easy to use, acceptable and of benefit. A full scale study, with specific modifications to the design, is needed to test the effectiveness of this innovative intervention.