Aarsland et al. (1999) [29]

Norway

To determine the emotional and social distress of caring for a person with PD and to explore the impact of motor and mental symptoms of PD on caregivers’ situation

“Distress and social upset experienced by the relative as a result of having to care for an elderly person with physical and/or behavioural disability” (p. 867)

58 caregivers

(Spouses)

Stepwise multiple linear regression

Yes

Patient mental symptoms were the most powerful predictors of caregiver stress in PD spouses. Patient functional impairment also contributed to the model whereas severity of motor symptoms and disease stage did not

Mc Rae et al. (1999) [11]

USA

To investigate sources of distress in PD caregivers and the relationships between demographic characteristics, stress and family functioning

No definition

50 caregivers

(Not reported)

Multivariate analysis of variance

Yes

Aspects of caregiving related to caregiver’s personal concerns and anxiety were reported to be the most distressing

Carter et al. (1998) [27]

USA

To examine the experience of spouses who provide care for patients with PD and to determine whether their experiences differed by stage of disease

No definition

380 caregivers

(Spouses)

Analysis of variance

Yes

Caregiver strain is experienced across all stages of PD and increases significantly in line with the progression of the disease

Calderet al. (1991) [64]

United Kingdom

To determine the characteristics of PD patients that are associated with stress for their relatives

No definition

65 caregivers

(62 spouses,

2 daughters,

1 daughter in law)

Stepwise regression analyses

Analysis of Covariance

No

Patient’s behavioural disturbances contributed most to the variation in level of stress, followed by male sex in patient, patient’s self-care and young age.

Patient’s functional disability predicted relative’s stress independently ofpatient cognitive impairment or dementia