Dyadic psycho-social interventions for stroke survivors and family caregivers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Aims and objectives: To describe dyadic psycho-social intervention measures and to evaluate their influence on stroke survivors and caregiver's functional independence, quality of life, depression, anxiety, self-efficacy and coping ability.

Background: Because of the importance of dyadic intervention and the seriousness of the psycho-social problems of stroke survivors and caregivers, understanding the influence of dyadic psycho-social interventions is vital.

Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis based on PRISMA guidelines.

Data sources: Nine databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials submitted from 1910 to 4 July 2022.

Methods: The included papers were evaluated for quality, and quantitative data were standardly extracted and analysed by meta-analysis, followed by synthesis. The meta-analysis was carried out using Review Manager 5.4 software.

Results: Fifteen randomized controlled trials were included (n = 2190 for patients, and n = 1933 for caregivers). Study results showed that dyadic psycho-social interventions significantly alleviated the depressive symptoms of patients, obviously improved the ability to function independently of patients and more quickly alleviated the care burden of caregivers.

Conclusions: This study provided moderate support for the benefits of dyadic psycho-social intervention in improving survivor and caregiver's functional independence, quality of life, depression, anxiety, self-efficacy and care burden. Nevertheless, due to limitations of the study, it was deemed necessary that this topic is studied further.

Relevance to clinical practice: This review suggests that dyadic psycho-social interventions should be considered as effective strategies for decreasing psycho-social problems of stroke survivors and caregivers, and provides evidence for the formulation of targeted intervention programs. The personalized implementation of such interventions should be the focus of clinical practice.

No patient or public contribution: There was no patient or public contribution.

Keywords: caregivers; dyad; meta-analysis; psycho-social interventions; stroke; survivors; systematic review.