Effectiveness of nursing interventions in promoting self-care among adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

“This book chapter synthesises the evidence on the effectiveness of nursing interventions in promoting self-care among adults. A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidance. Comprehensive searches were performed in major bibliographic databases to identify quantitative studies evaluating nursing-led or nursing-relevant interventions aimed at improving self-care behaviours and related outcomes in adult populations. Study selection and data extraction followed predefined eligibility criteria, and methodological quality/risk of bias was appraised using appropriate tools for the respective study designs. Where data were sufficiently homogeneous, pooled effect estimates were calculated; otherwise, a narrative synthesis was undertaken. Overall, interventions combining education, skills training, behavioural support and follow-up tended to demonstrate more favourable effects on self-care indicators compared with usual care or minimal interventions, although heterogeneity in intervention components, measurement instruments and follow-up periods was observed. The findings highlight the contribution of structured nursing interventions to enhance self-care and inform future programme design, emphasising the need for improved reporting of intervention fidelity and standardised outcome measures.