Interventions for Caregivers Caring for a Family Member With Advanced Illness at Home: A Systematic Review.
Leire Sevillano-Garayoa, Maddi Olano-Lizarraga, Jesús Martín-Martín
PMID 40819661WHAT IT FOUND
Home-based support for caregivers of relatives with advanced illness showed mixed short-term benefits.
Interventions improved preparedness and reduced burden in some studies, but effects on depression, anxiety, and quality of life were inconsistent or faded over time.
Key findings
01Nurse-led interventions frequently improved caregiver preparedness and reduced burden, while digital or psychosocial programs had mixed effects on emotional outcomes.
02Most interventions lasted less than three months, and long-term sustainability of benefits remains uncertain due to short follow-up periods.
03Heterogeneity in study designs and outcome measures prevented a meta-analysis, limiting definitive conclusions about which interventions work best.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
High heterogeneity in interventions, outcomes, and study designs prevented a meta-analysis. Most studies had moderate to serious risk of bias, particularly regarding blinding and randomization. Follow-up periods were short, with only one study extending to one year, leaving long-term effects unknown. Cultural context varied widely across the 10 countries included, which may limit generalizability. No study analyzed outcomes by gender, despite caregivers being predominantly female.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The study was funded by the Association of Friends of the University of Navarra and Santander Bank.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that any single intervention type is superior or that benefits will last long-term. The evidence is heterogeneous and mostly short-term, with many studies having significant risk of bias. Do not implement a specific program expecting sustained improvements in caregiver depression or quality of life without local adaptation and monitoring.