Four controlled trials were included (762 patients; the individual study sample sizes were 55, 15, 632 and 60 patients).
Caregiver burden and stress was assessed in 4 studies (762 patients); psychiatric stress in 3 studies (707 patients); physical health in 1 study (632 patients); attitude toward patient in 1 study (55 patients).
Patient cognition was assessed in 1 study (55 patients); behaviour in 1 study (55 patients); physical health in 1 study (632 patients).
Rate of institutionalisation/days in community was assessed in 3 studies (707 patients).
Factors limiting the reliability of the results include: lack of standardised criteria to make the diagnosis of dementia, use of more than one type of respite care intervention with pooling of results, no controlling for contamination, use of respite service outwith the study by control groups, additional counselling being given to treatment groups receiving respite care and groups already receiving formal community services at the time of entry.
Caregiver: Burden and stress no difference; psychiatric status no difference; physical health no difference; attitude toward patient worse post-respite (P <0.01).
Patient: Cognition no difference; behaviour improved in respite group (P < 0.001); physical health no difference in days alive.
Rate of institutionalisation/days in community: variable results.