Psychological interventions for symptoms of depression among informal caregivers of older adult populations : A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

• Background: Symptoms of depression are commonly experienced by informal caregivers of older adults, howeverthere is uncertainty concerning effectiveness of psychological interventions targeting symptoms of depression inthis population. Further, there is uncertainty concerning important clinical moderators, including interventiontype and care recipient health condition. This review examined the effectiveness of psychological interventionstargeting symptoms of depression in informal caregivers of older adults.Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched. Risk of biaswas assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool version 2.Results: Fifteen studies were identified and twelve (1270 participants) provided data for the meta-analysis. Interventionsincluded cognitive behavioral therapy (4 studies), problem-solving therapy (4 studies); non-directivesupportive therapy (4 studies) and behavioral activation (3 studies). A small effect size favouring the interventionwas found for symptoms of depression (g = - 0.49, CI = - 0.79, - 0.19, I2 = 83.42 %) and interventions wereeffective in reducing incidence of major depression (OR = 0.177, CI = 0.08, 0.38), caregiver burden (g = - 0.35,CI = - 0.55, - 0.15) and psychological distress (g = - 0.49, CI = - 0.70, - 0.28). Given high heterogeneity,findings should be interpreted with caution. Overall risk of bias was high.Limitations: Studies were limited to those in English or Swedish.Conclusion: Psychological interventions may be effective in reducing symptoms of depression among informalcaregivers of older adults. However, evidence is inconclusive due to heterogeneity, high risk of bias, and indirectnessof evidence.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi -- Tillämpad psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology -- Applied Psychology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

clinical trials

depression & mood disorders

mental health

informal caregivers

systematic review

meta-analysis

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)