Background: Malaysia faces a growing public health challenge due to population ageing, with dementia prevalence projected to triple by 2050. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: good health and well-being, this systematic review synthesizes Malaysian empirical evidence on how different forms of social support influence quality of life (QoL) outcomes among people living with dementia (PLwD) and their caregivers. The review examines emotional, informational, tangible, and multimodal social support interventions reported between January 2015 and April 2025.
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data extraction covered study design, type of social support, outcome measures, and effect sizes. Methodological quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklists. A narrative synthesis and vote-counting approach were applied, supplemented by a forest plot of effect sizes from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) targeting caregiver burden.
Results: Emotional (n=3) and informational (n=4) support interventions were most frequently examined. These interventions consistently reduced anxiety and depression and improved caregiver QoL. However, methodological limitations remain, particularly in the measurement of patient-centered QoL outcomes and the evaluation of financial and tangible support mechanisms.
Conclusions: The findings indicate that low-cost, scalable telephone- and mobile health (mHealth)-based psychoeducational interventions are effective in reducing caregiver burden in Malaysia. To strengthen equitable and sustainable dementia care systems, policymakers should prioritize pilot research on tangible support mechanisms, such as conditional cash transfers and respite care vouchers, and mandate the inclusion of patient-reported QoL outcomes in future clinical and community-based trials. These actions are essential for achieving SDG 3 and advancing inclusive dementia care across the Global South.
