BACKGROUND:
Caregiver burden is a significant challenge for those caring for older adults with disabilities. This review evaluates psychosocial interventions to reduce family caregiver burden, with a focus on overall effectiveness, care recipients with cognitive impairment, and home-based settings.

METHODS:
Seven major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and CINAHL) were systematically searched until October 2nd, 2024. Continuous outcomes were assessed using standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Intervention rankings relied on Surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values.

RESULTS:
In 31 trials with 4687 participants, comparing psychoeducation (n = 14), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) (n = 9), reminiscence therapy (n = 2), family caregiver support programs (n = 2), mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) (n = 2), progressive muscle relaxation (n = 1) and music therapy (n = 1), MBIs (SMD = -6.67, 95% CI: -12.94, -0.41) significantly reduced caregiver burden and ranked highest (SUCRA, 79.2%; mean rank, 2.4). In studies with care recipients with cognitive impairment, MBIs substantially reduced burden (SMD = -17.06, 95% CI: -25.02, -9.10) and held the top ranking (SUCRA, 98.7%; mean rank, 1.2). In studies conducted in caregivers' homes, CBT remained highly effective (SMD = -5.57, 95% CI: -8.59, -2.90) and ranked highest (SUCRA, 95.7%; mean rank, 1.2).

DISCUSSION:
This network meta-analysis highlights the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in reducing caregiver burden. These findings underscore the importance of context-specific strategies.