The effect of a nurse-led home visit program on the care burden of caregivers of adults with asthma: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the effect of a home visit program on the perceived care burden of family caregivers of adults with asthma.

DESIGN

A single-blind randomized controlled trial.

SAMPLE

The study was conducted with 30 participants in both the intervention and control groups.

MEASUREMENTS

Care burden was measured via the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale during the first interview at the pulmonology outpatient clinic and after the last home visit.

INTERVENTION

A nurse-led home visit program with five visits over three months included education and health counseling with the intervention group. Control group received standard education given in the outpatient clinic.

RESULTS

The mean Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale scores of the intervention group in the post-test were significantly lower than the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study revealed that the nurse-led home visit program, including education and health counseling, was effective in reducing the care burden for family caregivers of adults with asthma. Nurses can play an active role in preventing the negative effects of caregivers' burden of care, protecting their sense of control, and improving their health. Home visits integrated into the health care system could be effective in reducing the care burden of family members.