Non-pharmacological interventions to improve mental health outcomes among female carers of people living with a neurological condition: a systematic review

Abstract

Purpose: This systematic review aims to examine the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for improving mental health outcomes among female carers of people living with a neurological condition. Materials and methods: A narrative synthesis of English-language randomized controlled trials was undertaken. Results: 18 unique studies were included. Intervention components that were found to have improved mental health outcomes were: delivered in person, to groups, on an intermittent schedule with ≥10 sessions; had a duration between 3–6 months; and were facilitated by research staff or allied health professionals. As the review had few robust studies, results of mental health outcomes reported in studies assessed as low risk of bias were highlighted in the review. Psychoeducation interventions, cognitive behavioural interventions, and support group interventions were found to improve depression. Psychoeducation interventions were also found to improve burden. Conclusions: There is a clear need for adequately powered, high-quality randomised controlled trials to determine the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for female carers of people living with a neurological condition.