Effects of caregiver and family interventions on patients with common mental health problems in primary care: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

Common mental health problems are often diagnosed and treated by primary care physicians, who take care of entire families. Therefore, the methods of primary care interventions involving informal caregivers and their effects on the mental health outcomes of the care recipients suffering from symptoms of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder shall be examined.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed in the databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, APA PsycInfo, APA PsycArticles, and PSYNDEX in August 2023 and January 2025. The trial registries International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), clinicaltrials.gov, and the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) were searched in October 2023. Clinical trials examining the effects of caregiver interventions in primary care on medical outcomes for patients suffering from symptoms of the common mental health problems in focus were included (PROSPERO: CRD42023460471).

RESULTS

A total of 8825 studies were identified. Two randomized controlled studies, two non-randomized controlled studies, and two study protocols for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met the inclusion criteria. Interventions in three of four studies revealed improved mental health outcomes in patients. Core elements of these studies contain self-management with the use of information technology, psychoeducation, and peer support. One study did not reveal significant improvements compared to control.

CONCLUSIONS

The review indicates, that there can be a potential positive effect of informal caregiver involvement on patients` mental health outcomes. Application of information technology might be useful to manage time invest. Potential methods can be self-management, psychoeducation, and peer support. Further evidence generation in primary care is needed for more solid conclusions.