Nurse-led caregiver training interventions in post-stroke rehabilitation

A systematic review and meta-analysis of functional and psychosocial outcomes

Bibliographic Data

ID22068358
AuthorsSai Gao (Chinese PLA General Hospital), Lili Dong (0000-0002-1213-7691, Chinese PLA General Hospital), Xia Li (0000-0003-3050-8529, Chinese PLA General Hospital, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume14
Pages1820177-1820177
Publication date2026-06-03
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2026.1820177
PMID42317983
OpenAlexW7163412223
LanguageEN
References cited45

Background Stroke survivors often require long-term care from unprepared family caregivers, causing physical, emotional, and social challenges. Nurse-led caregiver training offers education and support to enhance functional recovery, caregiver competence, and psychosocial well-being. This study evaluated whether such interventions improve functional and psychosocial outcomes in stroke survivors and caregivers during post-stroke rehabilitation. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of eight randomized controlled trials (2015–2025) was conducted using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Data extraction focused on functional and psychosocial outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed with RevMan 5.4 and R, calculating SMD and 95% CI. Heterogeneity was assessed via I 2 , and sensitivity analyses were conducted. Results Nurse-led interventions improved stroke survivors’ physical function and motor ability (SMD = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.18–1.02, p = 0.005), but not activities of daily living or self-efficacy (SMD = 0.01, 95% CI: −0.29-0.31, p = 0.94). Psychosocial outcomes improved, including quality of life (SMD = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.11–0.92, p = 0.01) and reductions in anxiety and depression (SMD = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.05–0.93, p = 0.03). Caregivers showed significant gains in knowledge/skills (SMD = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.42–1.61, p = 0.0008), e-health literacy (SMD = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.55–1.62, p < 0.0001), and competence/preparedness (SMD = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.35–1.39, p = 0.0001), with no significant improvements in burden, emotional exhaustion, or quality of life. Sensitivity analyses confirmed robustness. Conclusion Nurse-led caregiver training improves stroke survivors’ motor and psychosocial outcomes and enhances caregiver knowledge, preparedness, and e-health literacy. However, effects on ADLs and caregiver burden remain uncertain due to low-certainty evidence, supporting integration into rehabilitation while emphasizing the need for stronger future evidence. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251104400 , identifier (CRD420251104400)

Activities of daily living · Anxiety · Caregiver burden · Psychological intervention · Psychosocial · Randomized controlled trial · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery · Traumatic Brain Injury Research

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