Digital Health Technology to Support Health Care Professionals and Family Caregivers Caring for Patients With Cognitive Impairment: Scoping Review

Abstract

Background Digital health technology is a promising way of supporting health care providers and family caregivers as they care for patients with cognitive impairment. Objective This scoping review aimed to portray the use of digital health technology to assist health care providers and family caregivers in caring for patients with cognitive impairment who live in the community or in a facility. Methods We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed scientific articles available in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and CINAHL with Full Text, as well as gray literature available in preprint servers, theses depositories, and various national and international dementia organizations’ websites. The search yielded 975 articles, of which we included 7 (0.7%) in the review. Results Of the 7 interventions included in the retrieved manuscripts, 2 (29%) were digital calendar reminder systems to support activities of daily living and medication management; 2 (29%) were apps on tablet devices to simulate the presence of family before therapy interventions; 1 (14%) was a social robot used in therapeutic sessions to include elements of musicotherapy, reminiscence, cognitive games, and relaxation; 1 (14%) was a commercially available computer system that provides access to various recreational leisure activities; and 1 (14%) was a web-based self-management support system that helps family caregivers to deal with behavior changes in a relative with dementia. Of the 7 articles, only 1 (14%) reported on the use of a behavior change theory, namely a comprehensive process model of engagement coupled with cognitive stimulation therapy. Conclusions Literature on the topic is scarce, recent, and heterogeneous. There is a clear need for a theoretical framework to conceptualize and govern the use of behavior change models that incorporate technology for patients with cognitive impairment.

Dementia care and prevention in community settings: a built environment framework for cognitive health promotion

“…Several frameworks highlighted the role of specific built environmental features, such as outdoor nature-based activity [40 ▪▪ ,41 ▪ ], community-integrated long-term care and housing options [42 ▪▪ ,43 ▪▪ ,44 ▪ ], or regional influences [45 ▪ ,46 ▪ ,47,48 ▪ ,49 ▪▪ ,50 ▪ ,51 ▪ ]. Others focused on the arts, digital technologies, and other cognitive stimuli in community settings [52 ▪ ,53 ▪▪ ,54 ▪ ,55 ▪ ,56 ▪ ].…”

Social robotics in music education: A systematic review

“…Delving into other characteristics of any educational experience, such as the role of the educational community and the collaboration of families, it should be noted that these variables have not been considered in the studies found. In general, families appear involved in studies referring to social robots when these are used as support in the home (Gasteiger et al, 2021;Choukou et al, 2023).…”

“…We must bear in mind that the latter is characterized as being technological, which highlights the need to address the exploitation of any possibility related to digital technology (Roig-Vila et al, 2021;Alonso Ruiz et al, 2022;Cabezas-González et al, 2022). In fact, even though some experiences associated with social robotics can be found in various fields (Lau et al, 2020;Gasteiger et al, 2021;Choukou et al, 2023), a priori, education does not seem to be one of them.…”

Ten Years of TeleHealth and Digital Healthcare: Where Are We?

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a real training ground in this field and an unexpected growth stimulus never experienced before, with the consolidation of ancient areas and the exploration of new areas. Furthermore, even in TH and DH, one can currently count on the use of emerging technologies, such as robotics [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ], augmented reality [ 28 ], virtual reality [ 29 ], and artificial intelligence [ 30 , 31 ]. Moreover, assistive technologies have played a strategic role during the pandemic as they were consolidated in the context of different applications and disabilities relating communication and motion [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

“…Big Data have played a strategic role in overcoming the pandemic [ 52 ]. Assistance for the disabled has tested new solutions [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ], such as the social robot, which has played an innovative role as a support and/or mediator between a therapist and a patient [ 24 , 25 , 27 ]. In this case, the therapist have experienced a radical change in their role.…”