Purpose: The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effects of family support programs on caregiving burden, depression,and stress in family caregivers of people with dementia. Methods: A literature search was conducted of electronic databasesto identify randomized controlled studies with family support programs done between 2000 and 2014. Studies published in Englishand/or Korean were included for the analysis with search strategies adapted from the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive ImprovementGroup. Studies were rated for quality assessment by two independent reviewers using the appraisal checklist developed byCochrane Reviews and Dissemination. Of 8,334 articles identified in the literature search, full texts of 76 articles that met the inclusioncriteria were reviewed and 38 were found to include relevant outcomes. Results: Results from selected studies were pooled instatistical meta-analysis using Review Manager Software and heterogeneity between combined studies was assessed using the Chisquaretest. Meta-analysis showed that the effect sizes of family caregiver support programs were small to medium for categoriesof caregiving burden (Hedge’s g= - 0.17, 95% CI= - 0.30~ - 0.04), depression (Hedge’s g= - 0.30, 95% CI= - 0.40~ - 0.20), and stress(Hedge’s g= - 0.39, 95% CI= - 0.52~ - 0.25). Conclusion: The review results indicate that a support programs can assist family caregiversin reducing their psycho-emotional distress.