A systematic review of theory-informed strategies used in interventions fostering family genetic risk communication.

Only nine studies met the review's criteria, so the evidence base is small. The review included only English, peer-reviewed published studies, so interventions reported in other languages or grey literature were not analyzed. Most included studies focused on hereditary cancer syndromes, not on other inherited conditions. Most participants were women, and the studies were often conducted in specialty genetic counseling settings, so they may not apply to men, other conditions, or routine clinical settings. The two trials with effects involved asymptomatic individuals and were conducted outside genetic counseling contexts, so they may not reflect typical counseling care. Many studies did not assess implementation factors such as fidelity, feasibility, or sustainability, and no studies linked acceptability to theory-based mechanisms. Acceptability was defined differently across studies, and high acceptability was not associated with significant intervention effects.

The supplied metadata indicates NIH extramural research support; the provided article text does not include an author conflict-of-interest statement.

Do not conclude that family genetic risk communication interventions generally work. Only two randomized trials reported effects, and most included studies focused on cancer syndromes in specialty genetic counseling settings, so the results do not show that routine education materials or nurse counseling will improve relatives' awareness or testing.