Technology-based interventions to support the informal caregivers of stroke survivors
Citation: Aldehaim AY, Alotaibi FF, Uphold CR, et al. The impact of technology-based interventions on informal caregivers of stroke survivors: a systematic review. Telemedicine journal and e-Health. 2016 Mar;22(3):223-31.
What is this? The COVID-19 pandemic is placing a strain on informal caregivers for patients with conditions such as stroke. Existing research on the use of technology-based interventions for supporting informal caregivers of stroke survivors might provide useful information for policy makers.
In this systematic review, the authors searched for studies of technology-based interventions for adult caregivers of stroke survivors. They restricted their search to articles published in English and did the search in February 2015. They included 5 studies (total: 299 caregivers and 32 stroke survivors) including 2 randomized trials and 3 pilot/preliminary studies.
What was found: Technology-based interventions may be effective in decreasing caregivers’ depressive symptoms.
Technology-based interventions had no significant effects on caregivers’ perceived burden of care, problem-solving abilities, health status, or perceived social support.
Visits to the emergency department and hospital readmissions of stroke survivors significantly decreased after the introduction of technology-based interventions.