Meyer TD, et al. - Aim of this systematic review was to assess interactive web-based software for severe mental illnesses (SMIs). It was observed in the findings that remotely accessible interventions for patients with SMI were attainable and satisfactory to patients. However, no such empirically evaluated program was available for informal caregivers such as relatives. The findings suggested that supporting informal caregivers could improve the well-being of both caregivers and patients.

Methods

• For the purpose of this study, the researchers conducted a systematic search for papers assessing interactive mobile or web-based software (using no or only minimal support from a professional) specifically aimed at supporting informal caregivers.
• They also searched for those supporting patients with SMI so as to not to miss any which might include relatives.

Results

• Out of an aggregate of one thousand, six hundred seventy-three initial hits, they identified 11 articles reporting on 9 different mobile or web-based software programs.
• The main finding is that none of those studies focused on caregivers, and the ones they identified utilizing mobile or web-based applications were just for patients and not their relatives.