Measuring quality and level of care provided by family caregivers of persons with dementia: protocol for a systematic review of validated instruments

The purpose of the current paper was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on predictors of emotional distress in caregivers of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and to provide evidence-based classification for prognostic variables to guide future research and clinical practice. A search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO databases. The citations of resulting articles were also reviewed. Twenty-eight articles met inclusion criteria and were retained for review. Reviews were conducted in accordance with the 2011 edition of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Guidelines for classifying evidence for prognostic studies. Data abstraction revealed one Class I study, four Class II studies, eight Class III studies, and 15 Class IV studies. Results of the review indicated that caregivers’ report of neurobehavioural problems in the person with injury is a probable predictor of emotional distress for caregivers of persons with complicated mild, moderate or severe TBI (Class B evidence). The level of participation in the person with injury, level of support needed by the person with injury, and family systems functioning are probably predictors of emotional distress for caregivers of persons with severe TBI (Class B evidence). Executive functioning impairment in the person with injury, pre-injury emotional distress in caregivers, caregiver age, caregivers’ use of emotion-focused coping, and social support may possibly be risk factors for caregivers’ emotional distress (Class C evidence). Recommendations for future research and implications for assessment and treatment of family caregivers are discussed.

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The experiences of family caregivers of people with severe mental illness in the Middle East: A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative data

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0254351 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. e0254351

Author(s):

Aisha Hamed Alyafei ◽

Taghrid Alqunaibet ◽

Hassan Mansour ◽

Afia Ali ◽

Jo Billings

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Middle East ◽

Severe Mental Illness ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Critical Role ◽

Geographical Area ◽

Well Being ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Middle East Countries

Background There is a wealth of literature exploring the experiences of family caregivers of people with severe mental illness (SMI) in western countries, however, this topic has been neglected in the Middle East, despite families being the main source of caregiving in this context. The purpose of this review was to conduct a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis to explore the experiences of family caregivers living in countries in the Middle East caring for a relative with severe mental illness. Methods A systematic review and meta-synthesis were conducted, to comprehensively gain a thorough and detailed overview of what is known about family caregivers’ experiences from published qualitative research in the Middle East geographical area from inception to May 2021. The review protocol was pre-registered with PROSPERO (Ref: CRD42020165519). Results The review identified twelve qualitative studies that explored caregivers’ experiences of caring for relatives with SMI in Middle East countries. Family caregivers’ experiences were captured under seven overarching themes. The participants across all studies reported negative consequences of providing care, increased burden and emotional distress. Many experienced issues with family/marital relationships and stigmatizing attitudes and behaviours from their communities. Caregivers expressed the need for increased support which was perceived to have a critical role in improving family caregivers’ experiences. Conclusions The meta-synthesis revealed many challenges and issues that affect caregivers of people with SMI in the Middle East. Family caregivers experienced distress and burden, and reported significant impact on their psychological well-being. Their experiences highlight the urgent need to provide more support for family caregivers in Middle East countries.

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Mindfulness for people with long-term conditions and their family caregivers: A systematic review

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice ◽

10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.10.019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 ◽

pp. 76-86

Author(s):

Ben Parkinson ◽

Maggie Lawrence ◽

Evelyn McElhinney ◽

Jo Booth

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Long Term Conditions

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The Burden of Dysphagia on Family Caregivers of the Elderly: A Systematic Review

Geriatrics ◽

10.3390/geriatrics3020030 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 30 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Ashwini Namasivayam-MacDonald ◽

Samantha Shune

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

The Elderly

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What is the State of the Science on Physical Activity Interventions for Family Caregivers? A Systematic Review and RE-AIM Evaluation

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2016-0280 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (7) ◽

pp. 578-595 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Colleen A. Cuthbert ◽

Kathryn King-Shier ◽

Dean Ruether ◽

Dianne M. Tapp ◽

S. Nicole Culos-Reed

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Psychological Health ◽

External Validity ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

The State ◽

Caregiver Health ◽

State Of The Science ◽

Internal And External Validity

Background:Family caregivers are an important health care resource and represent a significant proportion of Canadian and US populations. Family caregivers suffer physical and psychological health problems because of being in the caregiver role. Interventions to support caregiver health, including physical activity (PA), are slow to be investigated and translated into practice.Purpose:To examine the evidence for PA interventions in caregivers and determine factors hampering the uptake of this evidence into practice.Methods:A systematic review and evaluation of internal and external validity using the RE-AIM (Reach, Efficacy/Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework was conducted. Randomized controlled trials or pretest/posttest studies of PA interventions were included.Results:Fourteen studies were published between 1997 and 2015. Methodological quality of studies and risk of bias was variable. External validity criteria were often not reported. Mean reporting levels were 1) reach, 53%; 2) efficacy/effectiveness, 73%; 3) adoption, 18%; 4) implementation, 48%; and 5) maintenance, 2%.Conclusions:The lack of reporting of components of internal and external validity hinders the integration of caregiver PA interventions into clinical or community settings. Researchers should focus on standardized outcomes, accepted reporting criteria, and balancing factors of internal and external validity, to advance the state of the science.

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