PSYCHOSOCIAL AND SUPPORTIVE INTERVENTIONS FOR CAREGIVERS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DEMENTIA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Author(s)
Isaiah Olumeko, PharmD, MPH1, Tarilate Temedie-Asogwa, PharmD, Msc1, Sai S. Cheruvu, MPH2, Bilqees Fatima, PharmD, MPH1, Samuel C. Ofili, BPharm3, Jeff Sherer, PharmD, MPH, B.C.P.S4, Rajender Aparasu, MPharm, PhD1, Ekere J. Essien, MD, DrPH2, Susan Abughosh, PhD2;
1University of Houston - College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, Houston, TX, USA, 2University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, Houston, TX, USA, 3University of Nigeria, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, Houston, TX, USA, 4University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research, AHouston, TX, USA
1University of Houston - College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, Houston, TX, USA, 2University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, Houston, TX, USA, 3University of Nigeria, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy, Houston, TX, USA, 4University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Translational Research, AHouston, TX, USA
OBJECTIVES: Dementia places substantial psychological, physical, and economic strain on caregivers, yet evidence regarding effective and scalable caregiver-support strategies remains fragmented. This systematic review aim to synthesize recent evidence on psychosocial and supportive interventions for caregivers of individuals living with dementia and to identify gaps to inform future research and practice.
METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed and EMBASE databases for English-language, freely accessible full-text studies published between January 2020 and May 2025. Search terms covered dementia, caregivers, interventions, and support. The search identified 18,261 records from PubMed and 23,573 from EMBASE (41,834 total). After screening based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 41,803 records were excluded, and 31 caregiver-focused intervention studies were included. Due to heterogeneity in study designs, intervention components, and outcome measures, findings were synthesized narratively
RESULTS: Of the 31 included studies, 20 were traditional randomized controlled trials, representing 64.52% of the evidence base. Interventions included psychoeducation, psychotherapy (e.g., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mentalizing Imagery Therapy), mindfulness-based programs, exercise-based approaches, technology-enabled platforms (e.g., Tele-Savvy, iSupport, FamTechCare), and multicomponent or hybrid models. Across studies, interventions consistently improved caregiver psychological outcomes, particularly depression, anxiety, stress, and emotional burden. Modest improvements in caregiver burden and quality of life were also observed, especially in psychoeducational and multicomponent programs. Technology-enabled and hybrid formats enhanced accessibility and caregiver engagement, with facilitator-guided interventions generally demonstrating more consistent benefits than fully self-directed approaches. Caregivers with lower socioeconomic status exhibited higher baseline burden but often derived substantial benefit from structured, low-cost interventions. Patient level outcomes and dyadic caregiver-patient endpoints were infrequently assessed.
CONCLUSIONS: Psychosocial and supportive interventions effectively improve caregiver psychological well-being and coping capacity in dementia care. Future programs should incorporate dyadic evaluation and practical caregiving domains, including medication safety and neuropsychiatric symptom management, to enhance the quality and sustainability of care.
METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed and EMBASE databases for English-language, freely accessible full-text studies published between January 2020 and May 2025. Search terms covered dementia, caregivers, interventions, and support. The search identified 18,261 records from PubMed and 23,573 from EMBASE (41,834 total). After screening based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 41,803 records were excluded, and 31 caregiver-focused intervention studies were included. Due to heterogeneity in study designs, intervention components, and outcome measures, findings were synthesized narratively
RESULTS: Of the 31 included studies, 20 were traditional randomized controlled trials, representing 64.52% of the evidence base. Interventions included psychoeducation, psychotherapy (e.g., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mentalizing Imagery Therapy), mindfulness-based programs, exercise-based approaches, technology-enabled platforms (e.g., Tele-Savvy, iSupport, FamTechCare), and multicomponent or hybrid models. Across studies, interventions consistently improved caregiver psychological outcomes, particularly depression, anxiety, stress, and emotional burden. Modest improvements in caregiver burden and quality of life were also observed, especially in psychoeducational and multicomponent programs. Technology-enabled and hybrid formats enhanced accessibility and caregiver engagement, with facilitator-guided interventions generally demonstrating more consistent benefits than fully self-directed approaches. Caregivers with lower socioeconomic status exhibited higher baseline burden but often derived substantial benefit from structured, low-cost interventions. Patient level outcomes and dyadic caregiver-patient endpoints were infrequently assessed.
CONCLUSIONS: Psychosocial and supportive interventions effectively improve caregiver psychological well-being and coping capacity in dementia care. Future programs should incorporate dyadic evaluation and practical caregiving domains, including medication safety and neuropsychiatric symptom management, to enhance the quality and sustainability of care.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
CO98
Topic
Clinical Outcomes
Topic Subcategory
Clinical Outcomes Assessment, Relating Intermediate to Long-term Outcomes
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, SDC: Neurological Disorders