Table 2.
Description of the intervention and control groups of included studies (N=12).
| Author | Intervention | Control group | ||||
| na | Durationb | Description | na | Description | ||
| Beauchamp et al [27] | 150 | 30 days | Caregiver’s Friend: Dealing with Dementia—an ongoing worksite Web-based support program providing materials tailored to the needs of caregivers in 3 distinct modules (being a caregiver, coping with emotions, and common difficulties) | 149 | Usual care wait list | |
| Blom et al [28] | 149 | 5-6 months | Mastery Over Dementia: a 9-lesson online program; the first 8 lessons followed the same sequence: provision of information, exercises, homework, and feedback; lessons were about coping with behavioral problems, relaxation, arranging help from others, changing nonhelping thoughts, and communication; final lesson was a recap and booster session | 96 | E-bulletin sent by email every 3 weeks for 6 months; content did not overlap with intervention | |
| Chih et al [29] | 118 | 12-24 months | Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS): a password-protected website in which users self-directed to a variety of services (information, communication, and coaching); content covered cancer, caregiving and palliative care, emotional distress, use of coping techniques, and communication techniques | 117 | Access to the same intervention, without one component (clinical report) for 12-24 months | |
| Cristancho-Lacroix et al [30] | 25 | 12 weeksc | Diapason: a password-protected website offering information, skills training and a forum for caregivers; content was divided in 12 thematic sessions with videos covering caregiver stress, understanding the disease, maintaining the loved ones’ autonomy, understanding their reactions, coping with behavioral and emotional troubles, communicating, improving their daily lives, avoiding falls, pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions for caregivers, social and financial support, and about the future | 24 | Usual care | |
| DuBenske et al [31] | 124 | 2 years or up to 13 months after the death of the care recipientc | Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS): a password-protected website in which users self-directed to a variety of services (information, communication, and coaching); content covered cancer, caregiving and palliative care, emotional distress, use of coping techniques, and communication techniques | 122 | Access to a list of cancer and palliative care websites constructed from the opinions of clinicians in addition to usual care | |
| Eames et al [32] | 31 | 3 monthsc | What You Need to Know About Stroke: an educational package online containing a list of 34 topics regarding stroke; the Web-based intervention was reinforced with 3 face-to-face and 3 telephone meetings with participants | 30 | Usual care for the care recipient | |
| Kim et al [33] | 18 | 9 weeks | A Web-based program incorporating education and resources to support self-efficacy in the home setting. Content was divided in nine video sessions covering three themes: understanding stroke, recurrence prevention, and family life | 18 | Access to an e-bulletin over the course of 6 months | |
| McLaughlin et al [34] | 104 | 3 months | Brain Injury Partner: a Web-based program designed to improve family advocacy skills with content covering advocacy skills, strategies for reducing stress, and to determine necessary professional support needs | 97 | Access to the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAUSA) | |
| Namkoong et al [35] | 141 | 2 years | Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS): a password-protected website in which users self-directed to a variety of services (information, communication, and coaching); content covered cancer, caregiving and palliative care, emotional distress, use of coping techniques, and communication techniques | 144 | Access to a list of high-quality patient-directed cancer and palliative care websites in addition to usual care | |
| Pierce et al [36] | 51 | 1 year | Caring-Web: an educational and support intervention that answered questions, discussed options, and gave up-to-date information covering frequently requested topics like stroke disease process, safe transfer techniques, and emotional changes | 52 | Specific instructions to not buy or use Internet during the study in addition to usual care | |
| Smith et al [37] | 15 | 11 weeks | A Web-based conferencing and video education intervention designed to provide the caregiver with knowledge, resources, and skills; content was divided in 9 weekly video topics covering how to get in touch with your feelings as a caregiver, understanding what it’s like to be a care recipient, being a good listener, nonverbal behavior, choice/control/predictability, relaxation and positive imagery to control stress, and the role of pleasant activities | 17 | Access only to one component of the intervention that presents links to resources | |
| Torkamani et al [38] | 30 | 6 months | A technology pLatform for the Assisted living of Dementia elDerly Individuals and their carers (ALADDIN): a Web-based program designed to provide support and information with content covering dementia and relaxation/exercises techniques | 30 | No attention or intervention given | |
aBefore attrition.
bLength of access to intervention.
cIn addition to usual care.