Cited by 45Dementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchNursing care and researchFamily Caregiving in Mental Illness

The effectiveness of internet-based psychoeducation programs for caregivers of people living with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Yu, Ying, Xiao, Lily, Ullah, Shahid, Meyer, Claudia, Wang, Jing, Pot, Ann Margriet, He, Jin Jie·2023·Aging & Mental Health

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The 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. METHOD: Five 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. RESULTS: A 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. CONCLUSION: Internet-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.

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  • A meta-analysis of internet-based psychoeducation for carers showed a small effect on depressive symptoms (SMD −0.19, −0.03 to −0.35) but not on anxiety, burden, and quality of life.

    “A meta-analysis of internet-based psychoeducation for carers showed a small effect on depressive symptoms (SMD -0.19 , -0.03-0.35) but not on anxiety, burden, and quality of life.(492)”

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Yu, Y., Xiao, L., Ullah, S., Meyer, C., Wang, J., Pot, A. M., & He, J. J.
Affiliations
  • Flinders University (AU)
  • Bolton Clarke Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  • Xi'an Jiaotong University (CN)
  • Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Corresponding author
Xiao, Lily
Venue
Aging & Mental Health
Published
2023-03-23
Volume
27
Issue
10
Pages
1895-1911
ISSN
  • 1360-7863 (ISSN-L)
  • 1364-6915
OpenAlex
W4360601192
Cited by
45
References
11
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 2
FWCI
2.05
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Aging & Mental Health (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • EUR Research Repository (Erasmus University Rotterdam) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • EUR Research Repository (Erasmus University Rotterdam) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
  • Australian Government via NHMRC/Medical Research Future Fund (MRF2008321)
  • The Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Nursing care and research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family Caregiving in Mental Illness
Keywords
dementia caregivers, caregiver burden, caregiver depression, caregiver stress, caregiver mental health, self-efficacy, anxiety, quality of life, dementia care training
MeSH terms
Anxiety, Dementia, Depression, Humans, Quality of Life, Caregivers

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