Introduction
Lay‐caregivers in organ transplantation (to candidates, recipients, and donors) are essential to pre‐ and postoperative care, but report significant caregiving‐related stressors. This review aims to summarize studies testing nonpharmacological interventions aimed at improving organ transplant caregiver‐reported outcomes.
Methods
In accordance with PRISMA, we conducted a systematic review (searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central, PsycInfo, and CINAHL, no start‐date restriction through 7/1/2021). Quality of comparative studies assessed by ROBS‐2 or ROBINS.
Results
Twelve studies met inclusion. Study designs, interventions, and outcomes varied. Sample sizes were small across caregivers to adults (nine studies, five with caregiver samples ns≤50) and pediatric patients (three studies, caregiver samples ns≤16). Study designs included seven single‐arm interventions, two prepost with comparison cohorts, and three randomized‐controlled trials. Eight studies included transplant‐specific education as the intervention, an interventional component, or as the comparison group. Outcomes included transplant specific knowledge, mental health, and intervention acceptability. Of the nine prepost caregiver assessments and/or comparison groups, four studies demonstrated no statistically significant intervention effects.
Conclusion
Few interventions addressing the needs of organ transplant caregivers have been empirically evaluated. Existing interventions were well‐received by caregivers. Given complexities of care in transplantation, research is needed evaluating interventions using rigorous trial methodology with adequate samples.