Abstract
ObjectiveThe objectives of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to identify the characteristics of internet-based psychoeducational programs for caregivers of people living with dementia and to synthesise program effectiveness.MethodFive English databases and four Chinese databases were searched in June 2021 with no time limit applied. A narrative summary was performed to describe the characteristics of studies reviewed. Meta-analysis was applied to synthesise the pooled effects where data were available.ResultsA total of 14352 articles were identified from the database search and 19 were included in the final review. Interventions comprised educational, psychological, and behavioural training relevant to dementia care. Program duration ranged from 3 weeks to 12 months. Meta-analysis of 13 RCTs showed that internet-based psychoeducational programs had a significant effect on reducing caregivers' depressive symptoms (SMD -0.19; 95% CI -0.03 - 0.35) and stress (SMD -0.29; 95% CI -0.03 -0.54). However, these programs did not show an effect on quality of life, anxiety, burden or self-efficacy in caregivers.ConclusionInternet-based psychoeducational programs can improve some aspects of caregivers' mental health and emotional wellbeing. The effects of programs on self-efficacy, anxiety, burden and quality of life for caregivers remain inconclusive.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1895-1911 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Aging and Mental Health |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - Mar 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Funding:This study is funded by the Australian Government via nHMRC/Medical Research Future Fund (Grant number MRF2008321) and The Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration (DCRC) world-Class Research Project Grants.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
