Table 1 Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria

 Study design:

Quantitative studies

Qualitative studies

Analytic^a

Descriptive

Experimental studies^a

Observational studies^a

Descriptive studies^b

(original research)

Qualitative studies

(original research)

PICO^c / PICo^d:

 Population

Informal carers of adult patients with chronic breathlessness due to cancer, COPD, CHF, ILD/IPF, MND^e

We define an informal carer as a person of any age providing physical, emotional or practical care and support to a relative or a friend, outside of the context of his/her professional work

Studies with mixed populations (patients and carers) were included if specific results for carers could be extracted

 Intervention/ Topic of Interest

Any intervention aiming to support, inform or train carers

Any quantitative description of burden, needs and coping of carers

Perception and experience of carers in caring or supporting patients

 Comparator

In studies with control group: standard care or any other intervention

(not applicable)

(not applicable)

 Outcome

Any outcome for carers specifically related to breathlessness, such as well-being, coping/mastery, knowledge, skills and health care/social service use

Any quantitative descriptive parameter on carers specifically related to breathlessness: prevalence, incidence, experience, etc

(not applicable)

 Context

Any setting in any country