This bibliographical research aims to carry out a thematic analysis of knowledge production in periodicals, about the burden placed on family caregivers of Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) survivors. The analysis gathered articles found in the 80´s and 90´s, through the Medline, Lilacs and Cinahl databases. The content analysis was the methodological background that enabled us to organize the whole knowledge into a body of categories and subcategories, called: Category 1 - The sequels of the CVA creating burden, Category 2 - Aspects generating burden, covering the following subcategories: social isolation, marital changes and dissatisfactions, family caregivers` financial difficulties and deficits in their physical health and self-care, Category 3 - Other analyses about burden in CVA survivors´ family caregivers.
cerebrovascular accident; psychosocial effects of the illness; family