AIM To review the qualitative and quantitative evidence of the benefits of peer support for parents of children with disabling conditions in the context of health, well-being, impact on family, and economic and service implications.METHOD We comprehensively searched multiple databases. Eligible studies evaluated parent-to-parent support and reported on the psychological health and experience of giving or receiving support. There were no limits on the child's condition, study design, language, date, or setting. We sought to aggregate quantitative data; findings of qualitative studies were combined using thematic analysis. Qualitative and quantitative data were brought together in a narrative synthesis.RESULTS Seventeen papers were included: nine qualitative studies, seven quantitative studies, and one mixed-methods evaluation. Four themes were identified from qualitative studies: (1) shared social identity, (2) learning from the experiences of others, (3) personal growth, and (4) supporting others. Some quantitative studies reported a positive effect of peer support on psychological health and other outcomes; however, this was not consistently confirmed. It was not possible to aggregate data across studies. No costing data were identified.CONCLUSION Qualitative studies strongly suggest that parents perceive benefit from peer support programmes, an effect seen across different types of support and conditions. However, quantitative studies provide inconsistent evidence of positive effects. Further research should explore whether this dissonance is substantive or an artefact of how outcomes have been measured.Parents of disabled children are at risk of chronic physical and psychological health problems, which appear to be both pervasive and likely to worsen over time.1,2 Paediatricians in North America are encouraged to point parents towards family support programmes, 3 and parents and carers in the UK are also encouraged to seek contact with relevant support groups. 4,5 The Department of Health in the UK is promoting an increased role for the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector in delivering health and social care. 6 Integral to their vision is the need to examine, develop, and strengthen the evidence base for social interventions such as parent support. The potential benefits of peer support have been evaluated in a broad range of groups, for example people with specific health conditions such as cancer, 7 mental health service users, 8 people caring for others, 9 and for health promotions, such as breastfeeding. 10 However, we were unable to locate a systematic review evaluating the evidence of the effectiveness of peer support for parents of children with chronic disabling conditions. We perceived that it was reasonable to assume that any potential benefits of parental peer support were likely to be generic across children's long-term health conditions, rather than specific to any grouping of conditions.The review sought to address the following research questions: (1) Is peer support for parents ...

Background Robopets are small animal‐like robots which have the appearance and behavioural characteristics of pets. Objective To bring together the evidence of the experiences of staff, residents and family members of interacting with robopets and the effects of robopets on the health and well‐being of older people living in care homes. Design Systematic review of qualitative and quantitative research. Data sources We searched 13 electronic databases from inception to July 2018 and undertook forward and backward citation chasing. Methods Eligible studies reported the views and experiences of robopets from residents, family members and staff (qualitative studies using recognised methods of qualitative data collection and analysis) and the effects of robopets on the health and well‐being of care home residents (randomised controlled trials, randomised crossover trials and cluster randomised trials). Study selection was undertaken independently by two reviewers. We used the Wallace criteria and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool to assess the quality of the evidence. We developed a logic model with stakeholders and used this as a framework to guide data extraction and synthesis. Where appropriate, we used meta‐analysis to combine effect estimates from quantitative studies. Results Nineteen studies (10 qualitative, 2 mixed methods and 7 randomised trials) met the inclusion criteria. Interactions with robopets were described as having a positive impact on aspects of well‐being including loneliness, depression and quality of life by residents and staff, although there was no corresponding statistically significant evidence from meta‐analysis for these outcomes. Meta‐analysis showed evidence of a reduction in agitation with the robopet “Paro” compared to control (−0.32 [95% CI −0.61 to −0.04, p = 0.03]). Not everyone had a positive experience of robopets. Conclusions Engagement with robopets appears to have beneficial effects on the health and well‐being of older adults living in care homes, but not all chose to engage. Whether the benefits can be sustained are yet to be investigated. Implications for practice Robopets have the potential to benefit people living in care homes, through increasing engagement and interaction. With the robopet acting as a catalyst, this engagement and interaction may afford comfort and help reduce agitation and loneliness.

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