Family matters: A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of family-oriented interventions for children with acquired brain injuries

Jiabin Shen; Siman Zhao; Timothy Horn; Rebekah Benkart; Tyler Busch; Alison Vrabec; H Gerry Taylor

doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102218

Family matters: A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of family-oriented interventions for children with acquired brain injuries

Clin Psychol Rev. 2023 Feb:99:102218. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102218. Epub 2022 Nov 5.

Authors

Jiabin Shen¹, Siman Zhao², Timothy Horn³, Rebekah Benkart³, Tyler Busch³, Alison Vrabec⁴, H Gerry Taylor⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 850 Broadway Street, Lowell, MA 01854, USA. Electronic address: Jiabin_Shen@uml.edu.
² Department of Psychology, University of Dayton, 300 College Park, Dayton, OH 45469, USA.
³ Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, NEOB 3(rd) Floor, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
⁴ Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 900 South Crouse Ave, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA.
⁵ Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, NEOB 3(rd) Floor, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, 281 W Lane Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.

Abstract

Introduction: Acquired brain injury (ABI) is a leading cause of disability among children. An increasing number of programs have emerged to involve family members as an integral component of post-ABI rehabilitation. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of such programs among children with ABI.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, search among six databases (PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL) was conducted, followed by abstract/full-text screening and data extraction. Hedge's g was computed for effect sizes. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane guidelines. Meta-regression analyses were conducted on six moderators.

Results: A total of 32 studies (reported in 37 articles) were included in the qualitative analysis. Meta-analysis of 20 studies showed a positive small-to-medium effect of family-oriented interventions on child and parental outcomes but not on family functioning. Study design moderated the effect sizes of parent outcomes.

Conclusions: This study synthesized the latest empirical evidence of family-oriented rehabilitation programs for pediatric ABI across interventional strategies, study designs, and outcomes. The findings suggested an overall beneficial impact of such programs on both the pediatric patients and their caregivers.

Keywords: Acquired brain injury; Family; Moderator; Rehabilitation; Systematic review; meta-analysis.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Systematic Review
Review
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Brain Injuries* / rehabilitation
Caregivers
Child
Family
Humans
Parents

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding