Table 2

Outcomes in the Randomized Controlled Trials

OutcomeRandomized Controlled Trial Effect Size of Positive Outcomea
No. Measuring the OutcomeNo. With a Positive Outcome
Clinical outcomes
 Behavioral/psychological symptoms of dementia1040.1548
0.612
1.2523
1.559
 Depression7221
58b
 Cognition80NA
 Functional status (ADL, IADL)5167b
 Perceived health10NA
 Quality of life310.313
 Mortality310.2367
Service use
 Hospitalization rate520.01521
1.323
 Nursing home placement1130.1848
0.267
64b
 Length of hospital stay220.22448
1.923
 Emergency department visit310.1721
Outcomes for caregivers
 Burden1140.0315
0.2948
1.1723
58b
 Depression1050.0415
0.1821
1.029, 65
1.559
 Strain110.1821
 Perceived health620.2428
0.412
 Quality of life620.2848
0.9723
Satisfaction
 Caregivers5122b
 Health care professionals10NA
Cost-effectiveness50NA
Other outcomes
 Medication management111.0712
 Adherence to dementia guidelines110.6513
 Dementia detection rate110.4753
  • ADL = activities of daily living; IADL = instrumental activities of daily living; NA = not applicable.

  • a Effect size: <0.2 = weak effect; 0.2–0.5 = small effect; 0.5–0.8 = intermediate effect; >0.8 = large effect.

  • b Insufficient data to calculate the effect size (eg, number of participants missing in comparison groups, only textual information).