The Impact of Digital Tool Use on Older Caregivers' Burden, Depression and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Assumption of an informal caregiving role is often circumstantial and unexpected. Older informal caregivers (OICGs), those aged 60 years and above, exhibit impaired coping and considerably poorer psychological and physical health outcomes due to the demanding nature of the caregiving role. Digital caregiving tools were found to be effective in enhancing caregivers' mental health.

AIMS: To synthesize randomized controlled trials related to digital caregiving tools and aids available for OICGs and to study their impact on OICG's key outcomes, including burden, depression, and quality of life (QoL).

METHODS

Literature from 7 electronic databases from January 1, 2006 to April 1, 2024 was reviewed: Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science. The protocol for this review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023493282).

RESULTS

Eight randomized controlled trials were included for analysis. None of the included trials purposefully recruited or catered to OICGs. There was low quality evidence suggesting that the use of digital tools may slightly reduce caregiver burden (SMD -0.42, CI [-0.66, -0.18]) and depression (MD -2.5, 4.19 lower to 0.82 lower). For QoL, moderate quality evidence suggests that digital tool use will likely result in a slight improvement in QoL (SMD 0.21, CI [-0.18, 0.6]). Within the retrieved literature, complex digital interventions were associated with higher dropout rates in OICGs. There is also a trend of OICGs caring for dependents with neurodegenerative diseases.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: This systematic review highlighted the increased uptake and benefits of digital tool use by the OICG population. Nursing research on technology-enabled caregiving innovations should include an in-depth consideration of their target audience's demography, offering simplified, age-friendly features as necessary.