Seven trials (912 care workers; range 26 to 300) were included in the review; three RCTs, two before-and-after trials, one after trial, and one repeated measures trial. None of the included trials met all the quality criteria; the main limitations were unclear allocation concealment and lack of blinding. Follow-up ranged from two weeks to 18 months.
Most of the trials (five) reported significant positive changes in outcomes.
Stimulation: One of the two trials reported that, compared with controls, the intervention was associated with a reduction in stress (p<0.5), job dissatisfaction (p<0.1), and emotional exhaustion (p<0.5).
Emotion: The interventions in the two trials statistically significantly reduced either stress (p<0.5; one RCT), or burn-out and job dissatisfaction (p<0.5; one RCT).
Behaviour: One of the two trials reported that the intervention statistically significantly reduced burn-out in dementia care workers (p<0.5).
Dementia care mapping: The intervention in the one trial significantly decreased emotional exhaustion (p<0.5), but there were no significant differences between groups for personal accomplishment. Other results were reported.