Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for anticipatory grief in informal caregivers for people living with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Fu, Cong LU ; Ng, Marques Shek Nam ; Chien, Wai Tong ; Vo, Thi Nhi and Glasdam, Stinne LU orcid (2026) In The Gerontologist
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Psychosocial interventions support informal caregivers of people with dementia, but their impact on anticipatory grief and related health outcomes remains unclear. This review examines the effectiveness of different psychosocial approaches in addressing these outcomes.

Research Design and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024629388). Eight databases were searched from inception to 10th Jan 2025. Two reviewers independently screened studies, assessed bias, and extracted data. Leave-one-out sensitivity and subgroup analyses addressed heterogeneity. Evidence quality was assessed using the GRADEpro Guideline Development... (More)
Background and Objectives: Psychosocial interventions support informal caregivers of people with dementia, but their impact on anticipatory grief and related health outcomes remains unclear. This review examines the effectiveness of different psychosocial approaches in addressing these outcomes.

Research Design and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024629388). Eight databases were searched from inception to 10th Jan 2025. Two reviewers independently screened studies, assessed bias, and extracted data. Leave-one-out sensitivity and subgroup analyses addressed heterogeneity. Evidence quality was assessed using the GRADEpro Guideline Development Tool.

Results: Eleven interventional studies were included. Psychosocial interventions (n = 6) had no significant short-term (< 1 month: SMD = -0.57, 95% CI:[-1.14, 0.01], p = 0.05, I2 = 85%) or medium-term (1-6 months; SMD = -0.76, 95% CI:[-1.99, 0.46], p = 0.22, I2 = 88%, n = 3) effect on anticipatory grief but showed improvement in long-term (≥ 6 months; MD = -0.41, 95% CI:[-0.62, -0.20], p = 0.0001, I2 = 0%, n = 2). Short-term reductions in depression were also observed, with no significant effects in other outcomes. Subgroup analyses did not identify frameworks or delivery methods linked to better outcomes. The GRADEpro rated the evidence as ‘Low’ to ‘Very Low’.

Discussion and Implications: Overall, psychosocial interventions have limited short- and medium-term impact on anticipatory grief. Individual, technology-mediated cognitive-behavioural approaches may improve anticipatory grief in long-term, but evidence is limited. Further research should clarify the concept of anticipatory grief and evaluate interventions in large, rigorous RCTs. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
dementia, heterogeneity, anticipatory grief, psychological distress, health outcomes, psychosocial intervention, behavior guidelines, depressive disorders, caregivers, systematic literature review, meta-analysis
in
The Gerontologist
article number
gnag157
publisher
Oxford University Press
external identifiers
  • pmid:42485327
ISSN
1758-5341
DOI
10.1093/geront/gnag157
project
Anticipatory grief in dementia care
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
f7957da3-727f-49af-9c34-721c8659d096
date added to LUP
2026-07-23 08:36:04
date last changed
2026-07-24 03:00:02
@article{f7957da3-727f-49af-9c34-721c8659d096,
  abstract     = {{Background and Objectives: Psychosocial interventions support informal caregivers of people with dementia, but their impact on anticipatory grief and related health outcomes remains unclear. This review examines the effectiveness of different psychosocial approaches in addressing these outcomes.<br/><br/>Research Design and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024629388). Eight databases were searched from inception to 10th Jan 2025. Two reviewers independently screened studies, assessed bias, and extracted data. Leave-one-out sensitivity and subgroup analyses addressed heterogeneity. Evidence quality was assessed using the GRADEpro Guideline Development Tool.<br/><br/>Results: Eleven interventional studies were included. Psychosocial interventions (n = 6) had no significant short-term (&lt; 1 month: SMD = -0.57, 95% CI:[-1.14, 0.01], p = 0.05, I2 = 85%) or medium-term (1-6 months; SMD = -0.76, 95% CI:[-1.99, 0.46], p = 0.22, I2 = 88%, n = 3) effect on anticipatory grief but showed improvement in long-term (≥ 6 months; MD = -0.41, 95% CI:[-0.62, -0.20], p = 0.0001, I2 = 0%, n = 2). Short-term reductions in depression were also observed, with no significant effects in other outcomes. Subgroup analyses did not identify frameworks or delivery methods linked to better outcomes. The GRADEpro rated the evidence as ‘Low’ to ‘Very Low’.<br/><br/>Discussion and Implications: Overall, psychosocial interventions have limited short- and medium-term impact on anticipatory grief. Individual, technology-mediated cognitive-behavioural approaches may improve anticipatory grief in long-term, but evidence is limited. Further research should clarify the concept of anticipatory grief and evaluate interventions in large, rigorous RCTs.}},
  author       = {{Fu, Cong and Ng, Marques Shek Nam and Chien, Wai Tong and Vo, Thi Nhi and Glasdam, Stinne}},
  issn         = {{1758-5341}},
  keywords     = {{dementia; heterogeneity; anticipatory grief; psychological distress; health outcomes; psychosocial intervention; behavior guidelines; depressive disorders; caregivers; systematic literature review; meta-analysis}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{07}},
  publisher    = {{Oxford University Press}},
  series       = {{The Gerontologist}},
  title        = {{Effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for anticipatory grief in informal caregivers for people living with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnag157}},
  doi          = {{10.1093/geront/gnag157}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}