Non-pharmacological interventions for caregivers of patients with schizophrenia: A meta-analysis

• We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, CNKI and other sources in July 2015.
• 5 studies were included for meta-analysis.
• The quality of included studies was not ideal, with potential bias.
• The efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions for caregivers of schizophrenia was demonstrated.
• Further well-designed trials with large sample are required.

It has been estimated that about 50–80% of patients with schizophrenia live with or closely contact with their caregivers, and rely on them for housing, and emotional and financial supports. Caregiving experience is usually described as stressful for their caregivers. Non-pharmacological interventions seem to be beneficial to improving life quality. However, there is still no meta-analysis focused on this topic to give an overview.We searched the electronic databases includingPubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, respectively from the beginning of database to July 2015 for all the randomized controlled trialsevaluating the caregiver interventions. Continuous data were expressed mean differences (MD) with 95% confidential intervals (CIs). Standardized mean difference was planned to express, if different scales were used to measure the same outcome. We pooled the results using a random-effect model.As a result, nine studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 608 randomized participants. In which, 321 participants were in interventional group, while 287 participants were in control group. Concerning the care burden, there was significant difference found between non-pharmacological interventions and control groups (n=290, MD −2.10, 95% CI −3.46 to −0.74, P=0.002; level of heterogeneity τ2=1.81, χ2=62.13, df=3, P<0.00001, I2=95%). However, no differences were found in family support, family functioning and satisfaction. Of note, our meta-analysis demonstrated the efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions for caregivers of schizophrenia, and supported the application in the clinical practice. However, all the conclusions should be explained cautiously and further confirmation is required by well-designed trials with large sample.