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Meta-analysis of nonpharmacological interventions for neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia
Brodaty H, Arasaratnam C.. The American journal of psychiatry, 2012-09-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Objective Behavioral and psychological symptoms are common in dementia, and they are especially stressful for family caregivers. Nonpharmacological (or psychosocial) interventions have been shown to be effective in managing behavioral and psychological symptoms, but mainly in institutional settings. The authors reviewed the effectiveness of community-based nonpharmacological interventions delivered through family caregivers. Method Of 1,665 articles identified in a literature search, 23 included unique randomized or pseudorandomized nonpharmacological interventions with family caregivers and outcomes related to the frequency or severity of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, caregiver reactions to these symptoms, or caregiver distress attributed to these symptoms. Studies were rated according to an evidence hierarchy for intervention research. Results Nonpharmacological interventions were effective in reducing behavioral and psychological symptoms, with an overall effect size of 0.34 (95% CI=0.20-0.48; z=4.87; p Conclusions Nonpharmacological interventions delivered by family caregivers have the potential to reduce the frequency and severity of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, with effect sizes at least equaling those of pharmacotherapy, as well as to reduce caregivers' adverse reactions. The successful interventions identified included approximately nine to 12 sessions tailored to the needs of the person with dementia and the caregiver and were delivered individually in the home using multiple components over 3-6 months with periodic follow-up.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Brodaty, H., & Arasaratnam, C. (2012). Meta-analysis of nonpharmacological interventions for neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia. The American journal of psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.11101529
Vancouver
Brodaty H, Arasaratnam C. Meta-analysis of nonpharmacological interventions for neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia. The American journal of psychiatry. 2012. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.11101529. PMID: 22952073.
BibTeX
@article{brodaty2012-22952073,
author = {Brodaty, H. and Arasaratnam, C.},
title = {{Meta-analysis of nonpharmacological interventions for neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia}},
journal = {The American journal of psychiatry},
year = {2012},
doi = {10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.11101529},
pmid = {22952073},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.11101529}
}
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Key findings
- Results Nonpharmacological interventions were effective in reducing behavioral and psychological symptoms, with an overall effect size of 0.34 (95% CI=0.20-0.48; z=4.87; p<0.01), as well as in ameliorating caregiver reactions to these behaviors, with an overall effect size of 0.15 (95% CI=0.04-0.26; z=2.76; p=0.006).
Why it matters
This meta-analysis found that nonpharmacological interventions delivered by family caregivers reduced the frequency and severity of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, with effect sizes at least equal to those of drug treatment. It supports using these approaches to help both patients and their caregivers.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 65/100
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. We have no data on senior author's track record, so that was left out: it earned 62 of the 96 points we could judge it on, which is 65 out of 100.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (The American journal of psychiatry) |
| Journal's citation record | 4 / 4 | American Journal of Psychiatry: journal h-index 549 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A meta-analysis pooling many studies (from PubMed type “Meta-Analysis”) |
| 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 | 2012 — 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 | 6 / 7 | Cited 475 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 29.7 citations a year over 16 year(s) since 2012 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 4.6× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 3 / 6 | Cited by 19 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 51 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | — / 4 | OpenAlex's profile for last-listed author Caroline Arasaratnam holds only 2 work(s), too few to judge a track record — left out of this score |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | UNSW Sydney: institution h-index 1,101 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 22952073) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Points | 62 / 96 | Scored on 19 of 20 parts. We have no data for the rest, so they are left out: 62 of the 96 points we could judge it on is 65 out of 100. |
| Total | 65 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
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