How effective are interventions with caregivers: An updated meta-analysis

Citation Sorenson, S., Pinquart, M. & Duberstein, P. (2002). How effective are interventions with caregivers: An updated meta-analysis. The Gerontologist, 42(3) 356-372.

Design Meta-Analysis - Review of 78 studies concerning "caregiver", "intervention or support or training, and elderly or old age".

Participants Caregivers (mean age of 60 or older)

Outcome / Dependent Variables Caregiver burden, self-rated depression, subjective well-being, uplifts, ability and knowledge and care receiver outcomes.

Procedure Results from 78 studies - including psychoeducational interventions (training), supportive interventions (support groups), respite/adult day care, psychotherapy, interventions to improve care receiver competence (activity therapy), multicomponent interventions, and miscellaneous.

Outcomes Combining all interventions produced significant improvements on average (0.14 to 0.41 SD units) for caregiver burden, depression, subjective well-being, perceived caregiver satisfaction, ability/knowledge and care receiver symptoms. Psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic interventions showed most consistent short-term effects on all outcome measures. Multicomponent interventions had significant effects on caregiver burden, well-being and ability/knowledge but not depression and care receiver symptoms. Respite/day care interventions were effective on caregiver burden, depression and well-being. Supportive interventions reduced caregiver burden and increased ability/knowledge. Training care receivers was effective in increasing caregivers' subjective well-being and reducing care receivers' symptoms. Group interventions are less effective at improving caregiver burden and well-being than individual and mixed interventions. However, group interventions are more effective than individual treatments with regard to improving care receiver symptoms. Spousal caregivers benefits less from interventions than do adult children.

Author Sorenson, S., Pinquart, M. & Duberstein, P.