Telehealth for caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic review of psychological outcomes
Date
2022
Authors
Kelson, Ellen
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Thesis
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Abstract
Purpose: Families of children with neurodevelopmental disorders report increased levels of mental health difficulties, but also barriers to accessing professional mental health support. Telehealth interventions delivered remotely may help to mitigate service barriers for this caregiver population, although the effectiveness of this approach remains to be determined. Methods: The PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched for psychological telehealth interventions targeted to caregivers of children with a neurodevelopmental disorder. Standardised group mean differences (Hedges’ g) with p values and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The findings were narratively synthesised by mental health outcome, with consideration also given to telehealth medium and format. Results: Ten studies (Nparticipants = 577), including six controlled and four uncontrolled designs, all of sound methodological quality, were included. Telehealth was associated with immediate symptom improvement across psychological outcomes (g range = 0.319-1.955), regardless of the medium used (telephone vs. internet) or degree of clinician involvement. Follow-up (3-month) data indicated sustained improvement with an online mindfulness program, however this was only based on a single study. Conclusions: Telehealth offers a potentially effective tool to better support caregiver’s mental health needs. Further controlled research is required to generalise these findings to the broader caregiver population, including fathers and parents of children with extensive developmental and psychiatric comorbidities. Keywords: Systematic review, Telehealth, Mental health, Caregivers
School/Discipline
School of Psychology
Dissertation Note
Thesis (Master of Psychology (clinical)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2022
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