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Systematic review of the effect of psychological interventions on family caregivers of people with dementia
Selwood A, Johnston K, Katona C, Lyketsos C, Livingston G.. Journal of affective disorders, 2006-12-14
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Plain-language summary
Background Caregivers of people with dementia are at high risk of psychological morbidity and associated breakdown in care. Many psychologically based interventions have been designed to help caregivers of people with dementia. More work is needed to identify which, if any, are helpful for such caregivers. Method We conducted a systematic review of the immediate and long term efficacy of different types of psychological interventions for the psychological health of caregivers of people with dementia, using standardized criteria, to assist clinicians in implementing rational, evidence-based management recommendations. We reviewed studies examining the effects of any therapy derived from a psychological approach that satisfied pre-specified criteria. Using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine criteria we rated the quality of each study, extracted data and gave overall ratings to different types of intervention. Results We identified 244 references in our search of which 62 met our inclusion criteria. Limitations Our findings are limited by lack of good quality evidence, with only ten level 1 studies identified. Conclusions We found excellent evidence for the efficacy of six or more sessions of individual behavioral management therapy centered on the care recipient's behavior in alleviating caregiver symptoms both immediately and for up to 32 months. Teaching caregivers coping strategies either individually or in a group also appeared effective in improving caregiver psychological health both immediately and for some months afterwards. Group interventions were less effective than individual interventions. Education about dementia by itself, group behavioral therapy and supportive therapy were not effective caregiver interventions.
What this study adds
Evidence grade: High
This is a pooled review. This review found excellent evidence that six or more sessions of individual behavioral management therapy centered on the care recipient's behavior reduced caregiver symptoms immediately and for up to 32 months. It concerns caregiver support and does not test any treatment, cure, or prevention for Alzheimer's disease itself.
Taken from this record’s own fields, not from reading the paper. The grade is assigned from the abstract’s wording; what that means.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Selwood, A., Johnston, K., Katona, C., Lyketsos, C., & Livingston, G. (2007). Systematic review of the effect of psychological interventions on family caregivers of people with dementia. Journal of affective disorders. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2006.10.025
Vancouver
Selwood A, Johnston K, Katona C, Lyketsos C, Livingston G. Systematic review of the effect of psychological interventions on family caregivers of people with dementia. Journal of affective disorders. 2007. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2006.10.025. PMID: 17173977.
BibTeX
@article{selwood2007-17173977,
author = {Selwood, A. and Johnston, K. and Katona, C. and Lyketsos, C. and Livingston, G.},
title = {{Systematic review of the effect of psychological interventions on family caregivers of people with dementia}},
journal = {Journal of affective disorders},
year = {2007},
doi = {10.1016/j.jad.2006.10.025},
pmid = {17173977},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2006.10.025}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine criteria we rated the quality of each study, extracted data and gave overall ratings to different types of intervention.
- Results We identified 244 references in our search of which 62 met our inclusion criteria.
- Limitations Our findings are limited by lack of good quality evidence, with only ten level 1 studies identified.
- Conclusions We found excellent evidence for the efficacy of six or more sessions of individual behavioral management therapy centered on the care recipient's behavior in alleviating caregiver symptoms both immediately and for up to 32 months.
Why it matters
This review found excellent evidence that six or more sessions of individual behavioral management therapy centered on the care recipient's behavior reduced caregiver symptoms immediately and for up to 32 months. It concerns caregiver support and does not test any treatment, cure, or prevention for Alzheimer's disease itself.
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Study details
- Study designsystematic review
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 62/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a systematic review of all the studies on the question. 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 (Journal of affective disorders) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Journal of Affective Disorders: journal h-index 306 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A systematic review of all the studies on the question |
| 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 | 2007 — 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) |
| Randomized / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomization is not credited here |
| Times cited | 6 / 7 | Cited 341 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 16.2 citations a year over 21 year(s) since 2007 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 3 / 6 | Cited by 16 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 17 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Gill Livingston: h-index 99 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | University College London: institution h-index 2,029 (OpenAlex) |
| Multicenter collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 17173977) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 62 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
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