The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for family caregivers on the psychosocial wellbeing, physical health and quality of life of stroke family caregivers and their stroke survivors: a systematic review

Abstract

Objectives The objective of this systematic review is to identify the best available evidence related to the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for caregivers on the psychosocial wellbeing, physical health and quality of life of family caregivers and their stroke survivors. The specific review questions to be addressed are: Family caregivers • What are the effectiveness of varying formats and types of psychosocial intervention on the family caregiver’s psychosocial wellbeing including anxiety, depression, burden and strain of caregiving, mental health, social relationship and support? • What are the effectiveness of varying formats and types of psychosocial intervention on the family caregiver’s physical health including somatic complaints and incidence of accidents or injuries? • What are the effectiveness of varying formats and types of psychosocial intervention on the family caregiver’s quality of life including the psychological, physical, social, and environmental domains? Stroke survivors • What are the effectiveness of varying formats and types of psychosocial intervention on the stroke survivor’s psychosocial wellbeing including anxiety, depression and social recovery? • What are the effectiveness of varying formats and types of psychosocial intervention on the stroke survivor’s physical health including physical functioning? • What are the effectiveness of varying formats and types of psychosocial intervention on the stroke survivor’s quality of life including the psychological, physical, social, and environmental domains from the stroke survivors’ perspective and also their family caregivers’ perspective? Criteria for considering studies for this review Population Adult patients aged 18 or above, with a clinical diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, which was confirmed by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and were the community-dwelling survivors of the first or recurrent of stroke, received in-patient stroke treatment and were discharged home after hospitalization. Family caregivers will be the adult family member of stroke survivors, aged 18 or above, who were the primary caregivers that was the one who spent the most time of caring their stroke survivors, or the one who was identified by the stroke survivors as their primary caregivers. In addition, investigator’s definition of family caregivers, for example, family members spent on average TRUNCATED AT 350 WORDS