Cited by 261Nursing care and researchFamily Caregiving in Mental IllnessFamily Support in Illness

Effects of interventions involving the family in the treatment of adult patients with chronic physical diseases: A meta-analysis.

Hartmann, Mechthild, Bäzner, Eva, Wild, Beate, Eisler, Ivan, Herzog, Wolfgang·2010·Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Families can have considerable influence on the health of a patient with a chronic physical disease, and attempts have been made to optimise treatment by involving family members. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically assess the effects of family-oriented interventions on adults with chronic physical diseases. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify randomised clinical trials that have evaluated the effects of family-based interventions for adult patients compared to standard treatment. Interventions were classified as psychoeducation or addressing family relationships. The outcomes studied were the patient's physical and mental health and the health of the family members. The effect sizes were calculated as Hedges' g and combined using random-effects models. RESULTS: Fifty-two relevant randomised controlled trials (including 8,896 patients) were extracted. The main disease groups were cardiovascular diseases including stroke, cancer and arthritis. Meta-analysis showed that family involvement resulted in significantly better health than standard treatment for all outcomes. The mean overall effect sizes were 0.32 for the patients' physical health, 0.28 for the patients' mental health and 0.35 for the family members' health. Overall, the effects were not large, but they were broad, significant and stable over a long period of time. There was a tendency towards higher effects in favour of relationship-focused family interventions compared to educational interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Psychosocial interventions involving family members in the treatment of chronic physical diseases have positive effects on the health outcome for both the patient and his/her family. Further high-quality research is necessary to investigate differential effects.

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Crossref · 10.1159/000286958

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Authors
Hartmann, M., Bäzner, E., Wild, B., Eisler, I., & Herzog, W.
Affiliations
  • Heidelberg University (DE)
  • King's College London (GB)
Venue
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
Publisher
S. Karger AG
Published
2010
Volume
79
Issue
3
Pages
136-148
ISSN
  • 0033-3190 (ISSN-L)
  • 1423-0348
OpenAlex
W2047620292
Cited by
261
References
110
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 7
FWCI
2.58
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Nursing care and research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family Caregiving in Mental Illness
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Family Support in Illness
Keywords
family involvement, family-centered intervention, chronic physical illness, psychosocial interventions, psychoeducation, family relationships, patient mental health, physical health, cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, arthritis
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Chronic Disease, Family Relations, Family Therapy, Health Status, Humans, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Treatment Outcome, Caregivers

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