Effect of multicomponent interventions on caregiver burden and depression: the REACH multisite initiative at 6-month follow-up

Abstract

Meta-analysis was used to examine pooled parameter estimates of 9 active compared with 6 control conditions of the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health (REACH) project at 6 months on caregiver burden and depressive symptoms. Associations of caregiver characteristics and outcomes were examined. For burden, active interventions were superior to control conditions (p = .022). Also, active interventions were superior to control conditions for women versus men and for caregivers with lower education versus those with higher education. For depressive symptoms, a statistically significant association of group assignment was found for Miami's family therapy and computer technology intervention (p = .034). Also, active interventions were superior to control conditions for Hispanics, nonspouses, and caregivers with lower education. Results suggest interventions should be multicomponent and tailored.

Figures

Figure 1

Meta-analysis comparing active to control groups on 6-month Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist (RMBPC) Burden and Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression (CES–D) scores. A: Meta-analysis for RMBPC Burden scores (n = 909; excludes 2 caregivers due to missing baseline data and 1 caregiver due to missing data on race in Memphis). B: Meta-analysis for CES–D scores (n = 1,086; excludes 1 caregiver due to missing data on race in Memphis). Behavior = behavior care; Enhanced = enhanced care in Memphis and enhanced support group in Palo Alto; FSMII = family-based structural multisystem in-home intervention; CTIS = computer telephone integration system; Coping = coping with caregiving class.