Back
Evidence Summary
What is an Evidence Summary?
Key messages from scientific research that's ready to be acted on
Got It, Hide this
Interventions done with caregivers of stroke survivors improve some caregiver and patient outcomes
Bakas T, Clark PC, Kelly-Hayes M, et al. Evidence for stroke family caregiver and dyad interventions: a statement for healthcare professionals from the american heart association and american stroke association. Stroke. 2014;45:2836-52.
Review question
In caregivers of people who survived a stroke, do interventions improve outcomes in caregivers or stroke survivors?
Background
People who survive a stroke may have ongoing disabilities. They may need help with their care from family members and friends (caregivers). Interventions done with caregivers may help to relieve stress or improve coping in caregivers. They may also improve outcomes in stroke survivors.
How the review was done
The researchers did a systematic review, searching for studies that were published in English up to October 2012.
They found 26 randomized controlled trials and 6 nonrandomized studies. Studies included between 17 and 486 people.
The key features of the studies were:
- people were caring for a family member or friend who had survived a stroke;
- interventions were done with the caregiver alone or with the caregiver and stroke survivor; and
- interventions included 1 or more of the following strategies: skill building (e.g., problem-solving or goal setting, stress management, communication), providing psycho-educational information (e.g., how to manage emotions and health needs of caregivers and stroke survivors, coping with changes in lifestyle), and support (e.g., peer support groups, online discussion groups).
Control groups were not described.
What the researchers found
Most interventions provided psycho-educational information alone or with skill building. Most studies had follow-up of 6 to 12 months.
Compared with control groups:
- interventions done with caregivers improved outcomes in caregivers and sometimes in stroke survivors; and
- interventions done with both caregivers and stroke survivors improved outcomes in stroke survivors and sometimes in caregivers.
Conclusions
Interventions done with caregivers of survivors of stroke mainly improve caregiver outcomes. Interventions done with caregivers and stroke survivors mainly improve outcomes in stroke survivors.
Interventions for people (caregivers) who care for family members or friends who survived a stroke*
Any intervention done with caregivers | 17 studies§ | Improved some outcomes in 16 studies (94%) Social functioning was worse in 1 study | Improved some outcomes in 3 studies (18%) |
Any intervention done with caregivers and stroke survivors | 15 studies|| | Improved some outcomes in 8 studies (53%) No effect in 5 studies (27%) Social functioning and satisfaction were worse in 1 study each | Improved some outcomes in 14 studies (93%) No effect in 1 study (7%) Social functioning and satisfaction were worse in 1 study each |
Glossary
Control group
A group that receives either no treatment or a standard treatment.
Randomized controlled trials
Studies where people are assigned to one of the treatments purely by chance.
Systematic review
A comprehensive evaluation of the available research evidence on a particular topic.
Related Evidence Summaries
Related Web Resources
-
Gender Health & Caregiver-Friendly Workplaces
This checklist can be used by carer-workers who are considering approaching their supervisor or manager at work to request workplace arrangements.
-
Gender Health & Caregiver-Friendly Workplaces
This factsheet provides a summary of the supports that are available to caregivers and caregiver-employees for each province in Canada.
-
Canadian Institute for Health Information
Adults with dementia that live at home have complicated care needs. This resource provides information about caregiving for a person with dementia, and about how to transition into long-term care.
DISCLAIMER These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal
(
info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).