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Caregiver support groups in patients with dementia: a meta-analysis
Chien LY, Chu H, Guo JL, Liao YM, Chang LI, Chen CH, Chou KR.. International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 2011-02-09
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Objectives Meta-analysis studies of specific types of support groups are limited. We conducted a review and assessment of the effectiveness of support groups for caregivers of demented patients, and examined the impact of support group characteristics. Methods A search of multiple, electronic databases including the Cochrane Library, Medline, PUBMED, and others was conducted; studies published between 1998 and 2009 were collected. Thirty quantitative journal articles that were true and quasi-experimental controlled trials on support groups for non-professional caregivers, including mutual support, psychoeducational, and educational groups were analyzed. Outcome indicators were psychological well-being, depression, burden, and social outcomes. Results Support groups showed a significant positive effect on caregivers' psychological well-being (Hedge's g = -0.44, 95% CI = -0.73, -0.15), depression (Hedge's g = -0.40, 95% CI = -0.72, -0.08), burden (Hedge's g = -0.23, 95% CI = -0.33, -0.13), and social outcomes (Hedge's g = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.09, 0.71). The use of theoretical models, and length and intensity of group sessions had a significant impact on the effect sizes for psychological well-being and depression. Ratio of female participation (for psychological well-being and depression) and average age (social outcomes) were significant predictor variables. Conclusions Support groups benefit caregivers and findings of this meta-analysis serve as immediate guidance for group facilitators. Future research should include additional outcome variables with our defined factors on effectiveness collected as demographic characteristic data for comparison. A more comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of support groups is indicated to enhance outcomes for caregivers and patients.
Key findings
- Results Support groups showed a significant positive effect on caregivers' psychological well-being (Hedge's g = -0.44, 95% CI = -0.73, -0.15), depression (Hedge's g = -0.40, 95% CI = -0.72, -0.08), burden (Hedge's g = -0.23, 95% CI = -0.33, -0.13), and social outcomes (Hedge's g = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.09, 0.71).
- The use of theoretical models, and length and intensity of group sessions had a significant impact on the effect sizes for psychological well-being and depression.
- Ratio of female participation (for psychological well-being and depression) and average age (social outcomes) were significant predictor variables.
Why it matters
This meta-analysis of 30 controlled trials found that support groups had a significant positive effect on caregivers' psychological well-being, depression, burden and social outcomes. It is about support for caregivers and does not test any treatment or cure for dementia itself.
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Study details
- Study designmeta-analysis
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 59/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a meta-analysis pooling many studies. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported and studied in people because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (International journal of geriatric psychiatry) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry: journal h-index 190 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A meta-analysis pooling many studies |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2011 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 281 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 16.5 citations a year over 17 year(s) since 2011 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 7.7× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 3 / 6 | Cited by 10 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 33 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Kuei‐Ru Chou: h-index 46 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Taipei Medical University: institution h-index 345 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 7 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 21308785) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 59 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record names 7 authors; APA and Vancouver show the first six, BibTeX and the downloads carry all of them. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Chien, L. Y., Chu, H., Guo, J. L., Liao, Y. M., Chang, L. I., Chen, C. H., et al. (2011). Caregiver support groups in patients with dementia: a meta-analysis. International journal of geriatric psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.2660
Vancouver
Chien LY, Chu H, Guo JL, Liao YM, Chang LI, Chen CH, et al. Caregiver support groups in patients with dementia: a meta-analysis. International journal of geriatric psychiatry. 2011. doi:10.1002/gps.2660. PMID: 21308785.
BibTeX
@article{chien2011-21308785,
author = {Chien, L. Y. and Chu, H. and Guo, J. L. and Liao, Y. M. and Chang, L. I. and Chen, C. H. and Chou, K. R.},
title = {{Caregiver support groups in patients with dementia: a meta-analysis}},
journal = {International journal of geriatric psychiatry},
year = {2011},
doi = {10.1002/gps.2660},
pmid = {21308785},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.2660}
}
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