Mental health status and associated factors of caregivers of patients with malignant brain tumors
Open accessAbstract
PURPOSE: Caregivers of patients with brain tumors play an essential role in treatment and symptom relief; however, this responsibility often results in a substantial and prolonged burden, negatively impacting caregivers' health and quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the mental health status of caregivers of patients with malignant brain tumors and identify factors influencing mental health outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed data from the National Survey on the Needs and Support of Brain Tumor Patients and Caregivers, conducted by the research group on the Needs and Support of Brain Tumor Patients and their Caregivers in 2023. The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Review Committee of the National Cancer Center (approval No.: 2022 - 430). A total of 115 caregivers (36 male and 79 female) participated in the study. Depression risk was assessed using the Distress and Impact Thermometer. RESULTS: Fifty caregivers (43.4%) were classified into the suspected depression group. Factors significantly associated with an increased risk of depression after multivariate adjustment included "being tired of caring for others" and "being diagnosed with a brain tumor within 2 years." CONCLUSION: Caregivers of patients with brain tumors face considerable mental health challenges, with a notable proportion at risk of depression. Targeted interventions, particularly for those recently assuming caregiving roles and experiencing fatigue, are essential for improving their mental health and overall quality of life.
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Consistent caregiver burden might contribute to reduction in caregiver health-related quality of life, increased anxiety and depressive symptoms, sleep disruption, and reduced participation in employment and social activities.
“Consistent caregiver burden might contribute to reduction in caregiver health-related quality of life (QoL), increased anxiety and depressive symptoms, sleep disruption, and reduced participation in employment and social activities.”
From Caregiver burden, quality of life, and psychosocial outcomes among informal caregivers of patients with glioma: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2026) · cites this paper as [8]
The Introduction says caregiving demands can affect caregivers’ quality of life and identifies caregiver burden as associated with depression and anxiety. The Discussion likewise links burden with depression and reports lower social functioning among caregivers. The paper does not establish that burden causes sleep disruption or reduced participation in employment and social activities; it mentions sleep quality as a factor related to depression, not as an outcome of burden. (LLM, conf=0.85)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredEmpirical studies in patients with glioma suggest that caregiver burden is common and clinically meaningful.
“Empirical studies in patients with glioma suggest that caregiver burden is common and clinically meaningful.6, 7, 8, 9, 10”
From Caregiver burden, quality of life, and psychosocial outcomes among informal caregivers of patients with glioma: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2026) · cites this paper as [8]
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References 22 · Cited by 4
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- Authors
- Sakurada, K., Sato, I., Ikeda, M., & Narita, Y.
- Affiliations
- Yamagata University (JP)
- The University of Tokyo (JP)
- National Cancer Center Hospital (JP)
- Corresponding author
- Sakurada, Kaori
- Venue
- Journal of Neuro-Oncology
- Published
- 2025-02-07
- Volume
- 173
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 71-82
- ISSN
- 0167-594X (ISSN-L)
- 1573-7373
- PMC
- PMC12041177
- OpenAlex
- W4407260521
- Cited by
- 4
- References
- 22
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4
- FWCI
- 1.66
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Neuro-Oncology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Nursing care and research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family Caregiving in Mental Illness
- Keywords
- caregiver mental health, caregiver depression, malignant brain tumors, caregiver burden, caregiver fatigue, brain tumor patients, quality of life, risk factors for depression, newly diagnosed brain tumors
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Brain Neoplasms, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Stress, Psychological, Caregivers
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