Internet-based interventions for informal caregivers of dementia: an evidence gap map.

BACKGROUND

Currently, the global burden of dementia is heavy, Informal caregivers form the core force of the patient care system. Recent studies have shown that internet-based interventions demonstrate good application potential in informal caregivers.

PURPOSE: This aimed of the paper is to addressing evidence gaps of internet-based interventions for informal caregivers of dementia patients, clarify the existing intervention types and their core evaluation indicators, and provide an evidence-based basis for future research directions and policy formulation.

RESULTS

27 reviews included a total of 430 studies. The intervention methods included computer intervention (269,62.6%), telephone intervention (98,22.8%), mixed intervention (57,13.2%), and digital multimedia discs (6,1.4%); in addition, the intervention contents included multi-component intervention (209,48.6%), social support (14,3.3%), education (136,31.6%), and psychotherapy (71,16.5%).

CONCLUSION

internet-based interventions can effectively alleviate the psychological stress and enhance the skills of caregivers and are worthy of further promotion.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021241559; RecordID=241,559.