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Chronic respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, and asthma, are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide (). Globally, COPD, heart failure and asthma affect more than 550 million adults, accounting for over 7% of the world’s population and contributing to more than 6 million deaths annually, ranking among the top five causes of mortality (). Among which, most of patients with moderate-to-severe disease rely on informal family caregivers, whose depression, physical comorbidities and lost labor further amplify the economic impact on health systems. Current international standards—namely the 2024 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease report (), the 2023 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for HF (), and the Global Initiative for Asthma strategy ()—all recommend integrating patient self-management with caregiver support. Yet, these documents focus primarily on pharmacological and device-based management of patients, offering limited guidance on interventions specifically designed to alleviate caregiver burden. Across the continuum of COPD, heart failure and asthma care, family caregivers perform multifaceted tasks that extend from acute exacerbation management to long-term stability maintenance. Caregivers of patients with chronic dyspnea often experience high levels of physical, emotional, and psychological stress, which can lead to caregiver burnout and negatively impact their own health (). The “caregiver-as-second-patient” framework advanced by Schulz and Sherwood posits that family caregivers of chronically ill patients constitute a distinct population at risk for parallel trajectories of physical morbidity, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life (). Within this paradigm, caregivers are not merely ancillary resources for the patient, but rather “hidden patients” who require systematic screening, risk stratification, and evidence-based interventions in their own right. Consequently, any therapeutic strategy targeting patients with chronic breathlessness that overlooks the caregiver’s burden risks sub-optimal overall effectiveness. Given the growing global prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases, addressing caregiver burden has become an essential component of healthcare management.

Caregiver burden refers to the emotional, physical, and financial strain experienced by individuals who provide care for patients with chronic conditions (, ). In the context of chronic dyspnea, caregiver burden can be particularly pronounced due to the ongoing nature of the disease, the complexity of care, and the emotional toll of managing a patient’s condition over extended periods (). High caregiver burden is associated with increased rates of anxiety, depression, stress, and decreased quality of life, which can further complicate caregiving and reduce the caregiver’s ability to provide optimal care (). Therefore, identifying effective interventions that alleviate caregiver burden is crucial for improving both caregiver well-being and the overall caregiving process.

Numerous interventions have been proposed to reduce caregiver burden, ranging from psychological and emotional support to practical assistance and training in caregiving techniques (, ). However, the effectiveness of these interventions varies, and there is a need for a comprehensive understanding of which interventions are most effective in different contexts. This meta-analysis aims to assess the impact of various interventions on caregiver burden for individuals caring for patients with chronic dyspnea, by synthesizing data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Specifically, we focus on examining the effects of these interventions on emotional, social, financial, and physical dimensions of caregiver burden, as well as their impact on anxiety, stress, confidence, depression, family function, and quality of life. By consolidating evidence from multiple studies, this meta-analysis seeks to provide a clearer understanding of the effectiveness of interventions in alleviating caregiver burden and improving the well-being of caregivers. The findings from this analysis may help inform healthcare policies and intervention strategies aimed at supporting caregivers, thereby enhancing the overall care and quality of life for both patients with chronic respiratory conditions and their caregivers.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from inception to 18 April 2025 in multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science. The search strategy was designed to capture RCTs that evaluated the effects of interventions on caregiver burden for caregivers of patients with chronic dyspnea. The search terms included combinations of the following keywords: “caregiver burden,” “chronic dyspnea,” “chronic respiratory disease,” “heart failure,” “COPD,” “asthma,” “caregiver interventions,” and “randomized controlled trial.” Detailed strategy was demonstrated in . Additionally, relevant gray literature, such as conference abstracts and dissertations, were reviewed to minimize publication bias. The reference lists of included studies and relevant review articles were also manually searched for additional studies that met the inclusion criteria.

The inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis were as follows: (1) Population: Informal, unpaid adult caregivers (older than 18 years) of community-dwelling patients with chronic respiratory diseases, including heart failure, COPD, asthma, or other chronic dyspnea conditions. (2) Any type of intervention aimed at reducing caregiver burden, including psychological support, education programs, training in caregiving techniques, or pharmacological treatments. (3) Studies were required to report at least one of the following outcomes: caregiver burden, anxiety, stress, depression, family function, quality of life, social support, or confidence in managing stress. (4) Studies had to be RCTs. (5) The research was published from inception to 18 April 2025. Exclusion criteria were applied to remove non-randomized trials, observational studies, and studies that did not involve structured interventions or report on caregiver burden or related outcomes. Additionally, studies involving caregivers of patients with diseases unrelated to chronic dyspnea or respiratory diseases were excluded. Finally, the entire selection process was managed in EndNote X9.

Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the included studies using the RoB 2.0 tool for randomized trials, which evaluates risk of bias across five domains: randomization process, deviations from intended interventions, missing outcome data, measurement of outcomes, and selection of the reported result. During the assessment, the randomization process was assessed by random allocation and baseline differences, the deviation from intended interventions was assessed by application of blinding. Any disagreements between the reviewers were resolved through discussion or consultation with a third reviewer. Data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers using a pre-designed data extraction form. The following data were extracted from each included study: study characteristics, population characteristics, intervention details, and outcomes.

This meta-analysis was based on previously published studies, so ethical approval was not required. However, all studies included in the analysis were required to have received appropriate ethical approval by their respective institutional review boards or ethics committees.

A total of 18,974 studies were initially identified through database searches and other sources. After removing duplicates, 14,892 studies remained. Following a screening of titles and abstracts, 14,839 unrelated studies were excluded. A full-text review resulted in the exclusion of an additional 28 studies for various reasons: 8 were not RCTs (), 5 involved unrelated populations (), 10 did not measure the intended outcomes (), and 5 lacked the relevant interventions (). In total, 25 RCTs were included in the systematic evaluation (). The study selection process is illustrated in .

Twenty-five studies were included, involving 2,425 participants. Of these, 23 studies focused on caregivers of patients with heart failure, 1 study focused on COPD, and 1 study on asthma. Seven studies were conducted in the United States, 10 in Asia, and 8 in Europe. Sample sizes ranged from 20 to 510 participants; 18 studies included more than 60 individuals, while 7 studies had fewer than 60. Regarding the duration of interventions, 12 studies lasted less than 3 months, while 13 lasted longer than 3 months. The basic characteristics of the included studies are summarized in and .

According to the RoB 2.0 tool for assessing the risk of bias in randomized trials, the following observations were made: All studies employed random allocation and showed no baseline differences, suggesting a low risk of bias in the randomization process. However, none of the studies employed blinding, raising concerns about potential deviations in the delivery of the interventions. All studies reported complete data, minimizing the risk of bias in this domain. Objective outcome measures were used, which further reduced the risk of bias in outcome assessment. Seven studies were deemed high risk due to inadequate methods for measuring outcomes, and 18 studies raised concerns about selective reporting, lacking adequate justification for outcome measures. These findings are summarized in .

Caregiver burden is a critical measure for understanding the emotional, physical, and financial strain experienced by those caring for patients with chronic conditions like chronic dyspnea. A reduction in caregiver burden can prevent burnout, enhance caregivers’ ability to provide care, and potentially improve patient outcomes by allowing caregivers to continue their role with better health and support. A total of 16 studies, involving 1,070 participants (539 in the experimental group and 531 in the control group), compared caregiver burden. These studies showed significant heterogeneity ( p < 0.001, I 2 = 82.7%). Using a random-effects model, the pooled SMD was −0.65 (95% CI −0.96 to −0.34), indicating a statistically significant reduction in caregiver burden in the experimental group compared to the control group. A subgroup analysis based on study region revealed that studies conducted in Asia showed a more pronounced reduction in caregiver burden (SMD = −0.80, 95% CI −1.22 to −0.38), with some reduction in heterogeneity (). No publication bias was detected via Egger’s test ( p = 0.416, ,).

Caregiver burden can be broken down into various categories, such as emotional, social, financial, and physical burden. Each of these categories impacts the caregiver in different ways. Twenty-three studies, involving 2,205 participants (1,108 in the experimental group and 1,097 in the control group), compared categories of caregiver burden. These studies exhibited substantial heterogeneity ( p < 0.001, I 2 = 82.8%). The pooled SMD, derived from a random-effects model, was −0.48 (95% CI −0.70 to −0.27), indicating significant improvement across all categories of caregiver burden in the experimental group. A subgroup analysis by category of burden showed the most significant improvement in social burden (SMD = −1.07, 95% CI −1.68 to −0.47, ). Publication bias was present in this analysis ( p = 0.001, ,), but further examination with the trim-and-fill method indicated that this bias did not substantially affect the results (i.e., no trimming was necessary as the data remained unchanged, ).

Family function reflects the dynamics within a caregiver’s household and the ability of family members to support one another. Improving family function can strengthen the emotional and logistical support systems for caregivers, making caregiving tasks more manageable and reducing the overall strain. Four studies comparing family function included 214 participants (107 in each group). There was no heterogeneity ( p = 0.418, I 2 = 0). Using a fixed-effects model, the pooled SMD was 0.53 (95% CI 0.26 to 0.80), indicating a significant improvement in family function in the experimental group compared to the control group ().

Social support is crucial for caregivers, as it provides emotional reassurance, practical help, and an outlet for stress. Two studies, with a total of 44 participants (22 in each group), assessed social support. These studies exhibited acceptable heterogeneity ( p = 0.244, I 2 = 26.2%). The pooled SMD, derived from a fixed-effects model, was 0.55 (95% CI −0.06 to 1.16), suggesting no statistically significant improvement in social support in the experimental group compared to the control group ().

Anxiety is a common emotional response among caregivers, particularly those caring for individuals with chronic conditions. Chronic stress and anxiety can negatively affect caregivers’ physical and mental health, leading to fatigue, depression, and burnout. Seven studies, with a total of 682 participants (342 in each group), compared anxiety. These studies showed moderate heterogeneity ( p = 0.003, I 2 = 69.7%). The pooled SMD, derived from a random-effects model, was −0.28 (95% CI −0.60 to 0.05), indicating no statistically significant reduction in anxiety in the experimental group compared to the control group (). Subgroup analysis based on the region or intervention duration showed a decreased heterogeneity, indicating region or intervention duration might be the cause of heterogeneity ().

Stress is a key factor contributing to caregiver burden, particularly for those caring for individuals with chronic, life-limiting conditions like chronic dyspnea. Chronic stress can lead to various health issues, including cardiovascular problems, insomnia, and depression. Three studies, including 310 participants (155 in each group), compared stress. These studies showed acceptable heterogeneity ( p = 0.228, I 2 = 32.8%). The pooled SMD, derived from a fixed-effects model, was −0.59 (95% CI −0.82 to −0.37), indicating a statistically significant reduction in stress in the experimental group compared to the control group ().

Confidence in managing stress is an important predictor of how well caregivers can cope with their responsibilities. Caregivers with higher confidence are less likely to feel overwhelmed and are better equipped to handle challenging situations. Five studies, with 528 participants (254 in the experimental group and 274 in the control group), compared confidence for facing stress. These studies showed acceptable heterogeneity ( p = 0.078, I 2 = 52.3%). Using a random-effects model, the pooled SMD was 0.30 (95% CI 0.00 to 0.59), suggesting a statistically significant improvement in confidence for facing stress in the experimental group compared to the control group ().

Depression is a significant concern for caregivers, as the emotional toll of caregiving can lead to or exacerbate existing mental health issues. Nine studies, involving 860 participants (434 in the experimental group and 426 in the control group), compared depression. These studies showed moderate heterogeneity ( p < 0.001, I 2 = 75.1%). The pooled SMD, derived from a random-effects model, was −0.45 (95% CI −0.76 to −0.14), indicating a statistically significant reduction in depression in the experimental group compared to the control group (). Subgroup analysis based on the region or intervention duration showed a decreased heterogeneity, indicating region or intervention duration might be the cause of heterogeneity ().

Quality of life is a comprehensive measure that captures the physical, emotional, and social well-being of caregivers. Their role over the long term. Six studies, with 707 participants (349 in the experimental group and 358 in the control group), compared quality of life. These studies showed acceptable heterogeneity ( p = 0.064, I 2 = 52.0%). The pooled SMD, derived from a random-effects model, was 0.16 (95% CI −0.06 to 0.43), suggesting no statistically significant improvement in quality of life in the experimental group compared to the control group (). Subgroup analysis based on the region or intervention duration showed a decreased heterogeneity, indicating region or intervention duration might be the cause of heterogeneity ().

Sensitivity analyses, performed by systematically excluding one study at a time, revealed consistent results, without significant changes in the outcomes (see ). This reinforces the validity and reliability of the analysis, indicating that the overall findings are robust and not unduly influenced by any single study.

Based on the assessment of bias risk, reporting bias, and consistency across trials, the evidence was graded as follows: moderate quality for caregiver burden, family function, social support, anxiety, stress, confidence for facing stress, depression, and quality of life. The evidence for the categories of caregiver burden was graded as very low quality (see ). These quality assessments highlight areas where further research is needed to strengthen the evidence base.

The TSA boundary graph depicting the effects of interventions on caregiver burden for caregivers of chronic dyspnea patients, based on the RIS, is shown in the . The RIS is 772, and the cumulative Z-curve crosses both the traditional boundary (Z = 1.96) and the RIS, suggesting that the experimental group experienced a lower burden than the control group, with false positive results ruled out.

This meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of various interventions on the caregiver burden of individuals caring for patients with chronic dyspnea. A total of 25 RCTs were included, providing a comprehensive view of interventions aimed at alleviating the emotional, physical, and financial strain experienced by caregivers. The analysis identified significant improvements across multiple aspects of caregiver burden, with notable variation in the outcomes based on region, intervention type, and specific burden categories. The pooled analysis of 16 studies involving 1,070 participants demonstrated a significant reduction in overall caregiver burden in the experimental group compared to the control group (SMD = −0.65). The substantial heterogeneity observed (I 2 = 82.7%) suggests that various factors, such as study design, population characteristics, and types of interventions, may have contributed to the variability in results. Notably, studies conducted in Asia reported a more pronounced reduction in caregiver burden (SMD = −0.80), which may be attributed to cultural differences in caregiving practices, the type of interventions employed, or the specific characteristics of caregiver populations in these regions ().

Further analysis of subcategories of caregiver burden revealed that the most significant improvements occurred in the social burden domain (SMD = −1.07), indicating that interventions were particularly effective in reducing the social strain caregivers experience. This is consistent with previous research that highlights the social isolation and lack of support often experienced by caregivers (, ). Interestingly, the reduction in emotional burden was less pronounced, suggesting that while caregivers may experience relief from practical or logistical aspects of caregiving, emotional support interventions may require more targeted approaches (, ). The categorization of caregiver burden allows for a nuanced understanding of the areas most impacted by interventions. It also highlights the need for multifaceted interventions that address not only the physical and financial aspects of caregiving but also the emotional and social dimensions. As caregivers are often under stress due to a lack of social support and emotional resources, interventions focusing on improving emotional well-being and social interactions may offer a more holistic approach to caregiver support (, ).

Improvements in family function were observed across four studies, with a significant positive effect (SMD = 0.53), suggesting that caregiver interventions can strengthen family dynamics and support systems. However, the effect on social support was less clear, with no statistically significant improvement (SMD = 0.55). These findings underscore the importance of targeting both individual caregivers and their broader support networks. While family function improved, social support interventions might require more intensive or sustained efforts to foster meaningful changes in caregivers’ social environments (, ).