Interventions to Enhance Care Partner Performance and Participation in Alzheimer's and Neurocognitive Disorders: A Systematized Review

Authors

Ainslie Suyko, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Addison Werner, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Elizabeth A. Stacy, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Danielle M. Westmark, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Stacy Smallfield, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Molly A. Whitlow, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow

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Abstract

Purpose: Care partners of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) often experience disrupted routines, reduced self-care, and limited participation in meaningful occupations. Occupational therapy (OT) supports care partners’ engagement in health-promoting activities and sustainable caregiving (Rhodus et al., 2023). This systematized review examined interventions that enhance care partner performance and participation.

Design: Peer-reviewed, English-language articles were included if they involved adult care partners of individuals with AD or NCDs, implemented an intervention within the scope of OT, and used quantitate research designs.

Method: A total of 319 articles from MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Scopus were screened; 61 underwent full-text review, and 14 met inclusion criteria. Levels of evidence followed the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (2009), and strength of evidence and recommendations were based on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2018).

Results: Five themes emerged: technology-based, multicomponent, education and psychoeducation, skills training, and yoga with mind-body exercises. Six level IB, one level IIA, and one level IIB studies provide strong evidence for technology-based and multicomponent interventions. Two level IB, one level IIB, and two level IIIB studies provide moderate evidence for education, psychoeducation and skills training. One level IIB study provides low evidence for yoga with mind-body exercises.

Conclusion: Evidence supports routinely implementing multicomponent, technology-based, skills training, and education and psychoeducation interventions to improve care partner performance and participation. Yoga and mind-body approaches may be beneficial but should only be used on a case-by-case basis.

Publication Date

Fall 11-22-2025

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy

Comments

2025 Copyright, the authors

Recommended Citation

Suyko, Ainslie; Werner, Addison; Stacy, Elizabeth A.; Westmark, Danielle M.; Smallfield, Stacy; and Whitlow, Molly A., "Interventions to Enhance Care Partner Performance and Participation in Alzheimer's and Neurocognitive Disorders: A Systematized Review" (2025). Student Systematized Reviews: Occupational Therapy. 22.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/cahp_ot_sysrev/22