Caregiver Characteristics Associated With Cognitive Complaints in Women With Breast Cancer

OBJECTIVES To explore whether caregiver characteristics were associated with cognitive complaints reported by women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. SAMPLE A SETTING 61 dyads of women with breast cancer and their caregivers were recruited at Duke Women's Cancer Care Raleigh in North Carolina. METHODS A VARIABLES An exploratory, cross-sectional design was used. Data were obtained on patients and caregivers. Patient cognitive complaints were represented by cognitive impairment (CI) and cognitive ability (CA). RESULTS Two significant associations were found. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Healthcare providers should consider caregivers when assessing and managing patients' cognitive symptoms. This study suggests the value of including caregivers when establishing interventions for patients who have cognitive complaints.