eHealth interventions for the informal caregivers of people with dementia: A systematic review of systematic reviews.

Objectives: To systematically synthesize existing evidence on the implementation and effectiveness of eHealth interventions for the informal caregivers of people with dementia.

Methods: A systematic review of systematic reviews was conducted following the Cochrane methodological recommendations. Data were searched from MEDLINE/Ovid, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and PsycInfo. Methodological quality was appraised independently using the AMSTAR 2.

Results: Nineteen reviews were included. The methodological quality of reviews varied from high to critically low. The eHealth interventions provided multiple components covering informative, psychoeducation, communication, psychotherapeutic, and psychosocial support. Interventions were delivered via the Internet, telephones, and combined technologies. The evidence varied, but was generally positive regarding depression, anxiety, caregiver burden, stress, self-efficacy, knowledge, and skill improvements. No evidence was found on the coping competence of caregivers.

Conclusions: eHealth interventions are widely applied and benefit informal caregivers, but still lacking high methodological quality. More rigorous research is necessary to produce robust evidence for this changing field.