ABSTRACT

Objective : This study reviewed the characteristics and effects of caregiver education interventions for adults with or at risk of dysphagia and identified clinical implications. Methods : Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and the Participants, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Study design framework, five databases were searched for studies published from December 2015 to December 2025. Five studies were included. Methodological quality and evidence levels were assessed using Arbesman’s model, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale, and Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Studies 2. Results : Three randomized controlled trials and two nonrandomized studies were included. Caregiver samples were predominantly female, with age distributions varying across studies. Interventions included online training, video/booklet education, posters, home visits, and multisession counseling. All studies reported improvements in dysphagia-related knowledge and performance-related outcomes. Some multisession programs also reported reduced caregiver burden and improvements in quality-of-life domains and patient nutritional status. Heterogeneity in outcomes and assessment schedules limited generalizability. Conclusion : Caregiver education appears to improve caregiver knowledge and performance and may reduce caregiver burden and improve quality of life, and patient outcomes. Further adequately powered randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up are needed to establish multidisciplinary, evidence-based protocols.