Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2017 Jan;29(1):19-30.
doi: 10.1017/S1041610216001514. Epub 2016 Sep 27.

Consistency of dementia caregiver intervention classification: an evidence-based synthesis

Joseph E Gaugler  1 , Eric Jutkowitz  2 , Tetyana P Shippee  2 , Michelle Brasure  3
Affiliations
Review

Consistency of dementia caregiver intervention classification: an evidence-based synthesis

Joseph E Gaugler et al. Int Psychogeriatr. 2017 Jan.

Abstract

Background: There are many systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRs) of interventions for family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. A challenge when synthesizing the efficacy of dementia caregiver interventions is the potential discrepancy in how they are categorized. The objective of this study was to systematically examine inconsistencies in how dementia caregiver interventions are classified.

Methods: We searched Ovid Medline®, Ovid PsycINFO®, Ovid Embase®, and the Cochrane Library to identify previous SRs published and indexed in bibliographic databases through January 2015. Following a graphical network analysis, open-coding of classification definitions was conducted. A descriptive analysis was then completed to examine classification consistency of individual interventions across SR grouping labels.

Results: Twenty-three SRs were identified. A graphical network analysis revealed a significant amount of overlap in individual studies included across SRs, but stark differences in how reviews labeled or categorized them. The qualitative content analysis identified seven themes; one of these, content of the intervention, was used to compare classification consistency. When subjecting the classification of interventions to descriptive empirical analysis, extensive inconsistency was apparent.

Conclusions: The substantial inconsistency in how dementia caregiver interventions are classified across SRs has hindered the science and practice of dementia caregiver interventions. Specifically, accurate reporting of intervention components and SRs would allow for more precise assessments of efficacy as well as a fuller determination of how caregiver interventions can best yield benefits for caregivers and persons with dementia.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; carers; dementia; interventions; meta-analysis; randomized controlled trial; systematic reviews.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Network analysis of dementia caregiver intervention classification across systematic reviews.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Boots LM, de Vugt ME, van Knippenberg RJ, Kempen GI, Verhey FR. A systematic review of Internet-based supportive interventions for caregivers of patients with dementia. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2014;29:331–344. doi: 10.1002/gps.4016. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Brasure M, et al. Nonpharmacologic Interventions for Agitation and Aggression in Dementia Comparative Effectiveness Review. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota; 2015. Prepared by the Minnesota Evidence-Based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-2012-00016-I.
    1. Burgio LD, Gaugler JE. Caregiving for the chronically ill: state of the science and future directions. In: Burgio LD, Gaugler JE, Hilgeman MM, editors. The Spectrum of \Family Caregiving for Adults and Elders with Chronic Illness. New York: Oxford University Press; 2016. pp. 258–278.
    1. Charlesworth GM. Reviewing psychosocial interventions for family carers of people with dementia. Aging & Mental Health. 2001;5:104–106. doi: 10.1080/13607860120038401. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Charmaz K. Grounded theory. In: Nagy Hesse-Biber S, Leavy P, editors. Approaches to Qualitative Research A Reader on Theory and Practice. New York: Oxford University Press; 2004. pp. 496–521.