Telehealth applications used for self-efficacy levels of family caregivers for individuals with dementia: A systematic review and Meta-analysis

Background: The effectiveness of telehealth applications for family caregivers of individuals with dementia remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate how telehealth-based interventions applied for family caregivers of individuals with dementia affect their self-efficacy levels, caregiving burden, stress, depression, and quality of life.Materials and Methods: This was a systematic review. Screening took place between April 30 and May 5, 2022, for the scope of the past 10 years (January 2012/May 2022). The related studies were screened over ten (10) databases and search engines both in English and Turkish, including CINAHL, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed and Web of Science, ULAKBIM, Turkish Medline, Tu euro rkiye Klinikleri, and YOK National The - sis Center. Keywords included in various medical topic titles identified upon consultation with literature review experts from a library. Methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using Critical Appraisal Checklists developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute for experimental and quasi-experimental studies. The data were synthesized by meta-analysis. Results: Two hundred and twelve (212) records were accessed in the databases. Of that, 12 studies (covering 1,013 caregivers) were selected for the meta-analysis. Statistically, the self-efficacy mean score was signifi- cantly higher in the intervention group than the control group after the intervention (SMD: 1.08, Z=3.12, p=0.002). The effectiveness of telehealth-based applications for caregivers' caregiving burden, stress, depres- sion and quality of life -- except for self-efficacy - was evaluated. The results of the intervention and control groups were similar after the intervention (SMD:-0.17, Z=0.82, p=0.41; MD:-0.60, Z=0.49, p=0.63, SMD:-0.04, Z=0.13, p=0.98; SMD: 0.15, Z=0.47, p=0.64, respectively).Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that telehealth applications were effective in elevating the self-efficacy levels of caregivers of individuals with dementia. However, no statistically signifi- cant difference was observed in terms of caregiving burden, stress, depression, or quality of life for care- givers.(c) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.