| Rivera et al. (2008)
USA
RCT
PEDro=5
N=67 |
Population: Caregivers of individuals with TBI; Gender: Male=4, Female=63. Problem Solving Group (n=33): Mean Age=51.3yr. Education-only Group (n=34): Mean Age=50.8yr.
Intervention: Caregivers were randomly assigned to a Problem-Solving Therapy Group that received 4 home visits with a staff member (at 1, 4, 8 and 12mo) or an Education-Only Group that received brief monthly calls.
Outcome Measures: Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Pennebaker Inventory of Limbic Languidness, Caregiver Burden Scale, and Social Problem-Solving Ability. |
1. A significant linear increase in depression over time was observed among the Education-Only Group (p<0.05) but a significant decrease was seen in the Problem-Solving Group (p<0.01).
2. Both groups had a significant linear increase in well-being (p<0.005).
3. There was no statistically significant interaction between treatment and time for caregiver well-being or caregiver burden.
4. There was a significant decrease in health complaints by those in the Problem-Solving Group (p<0.05).
5. There was a decline in dysfunctional problem solving for the Problem-Solving Group (p<0.01). |
| Brown et al. (1999)
Canada
PCT
N=91 |
Population: Caregivers of individuals with ABI; Mean Age=47.9yr; Gender: Male=11, Female=80; Relation: Spouse=46, Parent=35, Child=5, Unknown=5.
Intervention: Caregivers were assigned to a traditional face-to-face on-site support group (Control, n=39) or a telephone support group using teleconference technology (Treatment, n=52). Sessions were 1.5-2 hr/wk for 9-10 wk.
Outcome Measures: Family Assessment Device, Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI), Profile of Mood States (POMS). |
1. The Treatment Group reported less burden than the Control Group on total CBI and on each subscale except social burden (all p<0.001).
2. On the POMS, the Control Group reported more distress than those in the Treatment Group (p<0.05).
3. For both groups, there was significant improvement in mood scores (POMS, p<0.05). |
| Acorn (1995)
Canada
Pre-Post
N=19 |
Population: Caregivers of individuals with head injury; Mean Age=50yr; Gender: Male=5, Female=14.
Intervention: Caregivers attended a weekly group-support program (5 hr/day for 3wk).
Outcome Measures: Dupuy General Well-Being Scale, 13-item Life Satisfaction Index Z, Rosenberg’s 10-item Self-esteem Scale, Jalowiec Coping Scale Revised. |
1. There were no statistically significant differences between pre- and post-intervention in coping, self-esteem, life satisfaction or well-being.
2. However, participants significantly increased their use of supportive coping styles after attending the program (p<0.05). |
| Niemeier et al. (2018)
USA
RCT
PEDro=4
NInitial=93, NFinal=54 |
Population: Caregivers of individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI=93. Treatment Group (n=42): Mean Age= 50.4yr (41.7, 56.6); Gender: Male=6, Female=36; Relation: Parent=12, Spouse=15; Other=15. Control Group (n=51): Mean Age= 51.4yr (46, 59.7); Gender: Male=11; Female=40; Relationship to Patient: Parent=22, Spouse=17, Other=12
Intervention: The Treatment Group received five 1h sessions of manualized caregiver intervention with educational, stress and anxiety self‐management, coping, and emotional support components. The Control Group received educational materials. Outcome measures were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3‐mo follow‐up.
Outcome Measures: Family Needs Questionnaire‐Revised (FNQ-R), Knowledge Assessment, Zarit Family Burden Scale, and Brief Symptom Inventory‐18. |
1. Treatment Group caregivers showed a significant increase in met needs for emotional (FNQ-R; p<.001), instrumental (FNQ-R; p=.003), and professional support (FNQ-R; p=.014) from baseline to posttreatment, whereas Controls did not (p>.05).
2. Treatment Group caregivers showed significant improvement in brain injury knowledge from baseline to posttreatment (p<.001), whereas Controls did not (knowledge assessment; p>.05).
3. Between‐group differences were significant for only emotional support needs (p=.002).
4. No differences between posttreatment and baseline were observed for any other outcome measures (p>.05)
5. Treatment effects were not sustained at 3‐mo follow‐up (p>.05). |
