{Reference Type}: Meta-Analysis
{Title}: Randomized controlled trials on promoting self-care behaviors among informal caregivers of older patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
{Author}: Liu H;Lou VWQ;Xu S;
{Journal}: BMC Geriatr
{Volume}: 24
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: 2024 Jan 23
{Factor}: 4.07
{DOI}: 10.1186/s12877-023-04614-6
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Informal caregivers of older patients often neglect their self-care, despite the mental and physical health effects of caregiving. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on self-care interventions for informal caregivers are lacking, making it difficult to determine effective strategies. This systematic review explored the definition and categories of self-care RCTs for informal caregivers and a meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effectiveness of these interventions.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Seven databases (Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, PubMed, ProQuest, CINAHL, and Embase) were searched for articles in English reporting on self-care intervention outcomes for informal caregivers of patients aged 60 years or older. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. Subgroup, sensitivity, and publication bias analyses were conducted.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Eighteen studies were included in the systematic review, of which fifteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. RCTs lacked a clear definition of self-care, mainly focused on promoting physical and mental health and individual capacity, and neglected disease prevention. The interventions focused on self-management for health and individual agency, with less attention on health literacy, decision-making capacity, self-monitoring for health status, and linkage to the health system. Meta-analysis results showed that RCTs had a small effect on reducing anxiety (SMD = -0.142, 95% CI [-0.302, 0.017], p = .081) but a significant effect on reducing depression (SMD = -0.214, 95% CI [-0.353, -0.076], p = .002). Country and type of caregiver significantly contributed to the effect of reducing caregivers' depression in subgroup analysis.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Studies on caregiver-centered self-care interventions are limited, resulting in a lack of a clear definition and comprehensive intervention. RCTs indicated a small effect on informal caregivers' mental health, and interventions should consider both mental and physical health. More evidence is needed on the effectiveness of self-care interventions for informal caregivers' anxiety and physical health.