Abstract
This systematic review included 11 studies examining the effects of caregiver–care recipient dyad exercise interventions on caregiver health outcomes. Benefits for caregivers were compared among those participating in dyadic exercise with a care recipient, those receiving a separate nonexercise intervention while their care recipients exercised, and those remaining in their role with usual care. Results suggest involvement in dyadic exercise produces both physical and psychosocial benefits.
Primary Author and Speaker: Kecia Doyle
Contributing Authors: Erika Kemp
Caregivers endure certain physical and psychosocial strains when caring for a partner, putting them at risk for poorer health outcomes. While many of these health outcomes have previously shown to be well addressed by exercise (Lambert et al., 2016), the dynamics of providing care often preclude the pursuit of activities focused on the caregiver. More research is needed to better understand the health benefits and best practices of physical activity interventions for caregivers. This systematic review of 10 electronic databases evaluated exercise interventions (spanning years 1978-2018) in which caregivers enrolled with care recipients and either co-participated, received a separate, non-exercise intervention or continued usual care (UC) while their care recipients exercised. Inclusion in the review required the assessment of physical and/or psychosocial health outcomes for caregivers. A total of 4,951 total articles were screened. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. Six studies utilized interventions in which the dyad exercised together; five studies focused on solo exercise for the care recipients while the caregivers received a non-exercise intervention or UC. Overall, the interventions and measures were diverse, and the power of the included studies was often limited by small sample sizes. Results indicated improvements in physical and psychosocial health for caregivers following dyadic exercise interventions in which they exercised together with their care recipients. Caregivers receiving a separate intervention (e.g. support, education, or respite) showed psychosocial benefits. Those caregivers who only received UC were less likely to improve health outcomes. In general, care recipients showed some health benefits from physical activity interventions. Despite the potential for improved health outcomes for members of a caregiver-care recipient dyad following exercise interventions (Lambert et al., 2016; Martire, Schulz, Helgeson, Small, & Saghafi, 2010), caregivers are often overlooked as a primary focus. While care recipients often benefit, the clear effects on the caregiver have been largely overlooked. This systematic review of the literature suggests intentional involvement in dyadic physical activity focused interventions may result in more substantial benefits for caregivers versus examination as a secondary outcome of the care recipients’ participation.
Martire, L. M., Schulz, R., Helgeson, V. S., Small, B. J., & Saghafi, E. M. (2010). Review and Meta-analysis of Couple-Oriented Interventions for Chronic Illness. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 40(3), 325-342. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-010-9216-2
Lambert, S. D., Duncan, L. R., Kapellas, S., Bruson, A. M., Myrand, M., Mina, D. S., . . . Lambrou, A. (2016). A Descriptive Systematic Review of Physical Activity Interventions for Caregivers: Effects on Caregivers’ and Care Recipients’ Psychosocial Outcomes, Physical Activity Levels, and Physical Health. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 50(6), 907-919. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-016-9819-3