SynthesisPharmacoEconomics2025
The Burden of Informal Caregiving for Adults with Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Systematic Review.
Synthesis in PharmacoEconomics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- Development of and satisfaction with a short-term outpatient preventive medical service for working informal caregivers: a study protocol of a non-randomized prospective pilot study.Pilot and feasibility studies · 2026Article
- The Multidimensional Impact of Traditional Orthopaedic Casting and the Role of Emerging Immobilization Technologies: A Narrative Review.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Correlations of caregiver burden and musculoskeletal disorders with physical and psychosocial outcomes in palliative caregivers.Irish journal of medical science · 2026Article
- Societal and Economic Impact of Informal Caregiving for Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Productivity-Adjusted Life Year (PALY) Study.Journal of occupational rehabilitation · 2026Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND
objectiveInformal caregivers play a critical role in supporting individuals with musculoskeletal conditions. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the psychological and economic burdens associated with caregiving for musculoskeletal conditions.
methodsWe conducted a systematic review in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, searching MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, EconLIT, and APA PsycINFO for studies published between 2000 and April 2025. Studies were eligible if they examined the psychological and economic burden of informal caregiving for adults with musculoskeletal conditions. Screening and data extraction were conducted using EndNote 21 and Covidence. Risk of bias was assessed using the CASP checklist for psychological burden studies and the EVERS criteria for economic burden studies. Data were synthesized narratively. An exploratory meta-analysis of informal care hours was conducted using a subset of studies with sufficient statistical data.
resultsA total of 41 studies were included, with 24 reporting psychological burdens, 16 economic burdens, and one for both. Caregiving burden included emotional, social, financial, and time-related impacts, impacting the caregivers' quality of life. Higher anxiety and depression were correlated with a greater caregiver burden. Informal care costs varied by musculoskeletal condition type, location, severity, intensity, and valuation method. Reported informal care hours showed substantial variation across studies. The overall risk of bias across included studies was low.
conclusionsThis systematic review highlights the considerable psychological, economic, and time-related burdens faced by informal caregivers of individuals with musculoskeletal conditions. Caregivers face high stress, physical strain, and opportunity costs. The lack of standardized assessments hinders accurate burden quantification, economic evaluation, and policy responses. Future efforts should focus on adopting consistent measurement instruments and valuation methods, alongside implementing structured policies, financial support, and psychological interventions to better support the caregivers.
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