Key result
Moderate-to-high caregiving strain positively correlates with cardiac autonomic imbalance and a higher LF/HF ratio.
Why the study?
Chronic stress disrupts cardiac autonomic balance, but there is a paucity of research examining the association between caregiving strain and cardiac autonomic status in primary oncology caregivers.
Is increased caregiving strain associated with cardiac autonomic imbalance in primary oncology caregivers?
Cross-Sectional (n=46)
No
Is increased caregiving strain associated with cardiac autonomic imbalance in primary oncology caregivers?
Effect estimate: r = 0.563
p-value: p=<0.001
Higher levels of caregiving strain in primary oncology caregivers are significantly associated with cardiac autonomic dysfunction, suggesting a potential mechanism for increased cardiovascular risk in this population.
May signal elevated CV risk in oncology caregivers; hypothesis-generating and requires longitudinal confirmation.
Objectives: Oncology caregivers often endure a significant amount of psychosocial stress while going through the experience of caregiving for their dependents. Exposure to chronic stress disrupts the cardiac autonomic balance and increases the risk of cardiovascular events. There is a paucity of research on the association between caregiving strain and cardiac autonomic status of primary oncology caregivers. This study aimed to assess the cardiac autonomic balance and its association with the levels of perceived strain and quality of life (QOL) of primary oncology caregivers. Materials and Methods: Forty-six individuals (30 males and 16 females) who have been primary caregivers of patients under the treatment for cancer at the Regional Cancer Centre over the past 3 months–1 year were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Cardiac autonomic status was assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) technique. The level of strain perceived and QOL of the study participants were assessed using the Modified Caregiver Strain Index (MCSI) and Caregiver QOL-Cancer (CQOL-C) questionnaires, respectively. Comparison of study parameters based on MCSI scores (low strain vs. moderate-high strain) was done using the Independent Student’s t -test. Spearman rank correlation coefficient test was performed to assess the correlation between sympathovagal balance (Low frequency [LF]/high frequency [HF]) and other study parameters. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to predict the LF/HF ratio with independent variables MCSI score and CQOL-C score. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Significantly high blood pressure, LF power, LF nu (LF normalised units) and LF/HF ratio were observed among caregivers with moderate-to-high caregiving strain as compared to those with low strain levels, while significantly low HF nu (HF normalised units) and CQOL-C scores were noted among the moderate-to-high caregiving strain subgroup as compared to the low caregiving strain subgroup. LF/HF ratio revealed a significant positive correlation with the level of caregiving strain (r = 0.563, P < 0.001) and a significant negative correlation with the QOL (r = −0.489, P = 0.001) of caregivers. However, on regression analysis, the level of caregiving strain was found to be a significant predictor of autonomic dysfunction unlike the caregivers’ QOL. Conclusion: Increased caregiving strain is associated with cardiac autonomic imbalance in primary oncology caregivers.
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Pant et al. (2022) conducted a cross-sectional in Primary oncology caregivers (n=46). Moderate-to-high caregiving strain vs. Low caregiving strain was evaluated on Cardiac autonomic balance (LF/HF ratio) (r = 0.563, p=<0.001). Moderate-to-high caregiving strain was significantly associated with cardiac autonomic imbalance, showing a positive correlation with the LF/HF ratio (r = 0.563, P < 0.001).
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