Ten RCTs (n=2,443, range 26 to 536) were included in the review. Eight RCTs reported allocation concealment. No RCTs reported double-blinding. Four RCTs reported adequate blinding of assessment. All RCTs reported withdrawals and dropouts. Study duration ranged from six weeks to 12 months.
One RCT (n=28) reported significant improvements in depression scores for participants after a three-month programme of care co-ordination compared to usual care. However, there were no significant differences at any assessment points between intervention and control groups for depression or mood for a Family Support Organizer Service intervention (four RCTs, n=1,527), outreach nursing programmes (two RCTs, n=702), a social support programme (one RCT, n=88), a family counselling programme that included information provision (one RCT, n=62) and a Day Service programme (one RCT, n=26).