Intelligent Assistive Technology for Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Intelligent assistive technologies (IATs) have the potential of offering innovative solutions to mitigate the global burden of dementia and provide new tools for dementia care. While technological opportunities multiply rapidly, clinical applications are rare as the technological potential of IATs remains inadequately translated into dementia care. In this article, the authors present the results of a systematic review and the resulting comprehensive technology index of IATs with application in dementia care. Computer science, engineering, and medical databases were extensively searched and the retrieved items were systematically reviewed. For each IAT, the authors examined their technological type, application, target population, model of development, and evidence of clinical validation. The findings reveal that the IAT spectrum is expanding rapidly in volume and variety over time, and encompasses intelligent systems supporting various assistive tasks and clinical uses. At the same time, the results confirm the persistence of structural limitations to successful adoption including partial lack of clinical validation and insufficient focus on patients' needs. This index is designed to orient clinicians and relevant stakeholders involved in the implementation and management of dementia care across the current capabilities, applications, and limitations of IATs and to facilitate the translation of medical engineering research into clinical practice. In addition, a discussion of the major methodological challenges and policy implications for the successful and ethically responsible implementation of IAT into dementia care is provided.

Digital technologies for the assessment of cognition: a clinical review

“…We identified technologies that allow direct monitoring of cognition (eg, smartphone apps) and those that monitor broader indices of activity and function that could be used to deduce cognitive ability. This is a rapidly developing area, with the number of dementia-focused digital technologies doubling approximately every five years 4. The timely adoption of such technology in clinical practice is a challenge that requires effective communication between developers and clinicians about the availability of such solutions 4.…”

“…This is a rapidly developing area, with the number of dementia-focused digital technologies doubling approximately every five years 4. The timely adoption of such technology in clinical practice is a challenge that requires effective communication between developers and clinicians about the availability of such solutions 4. Overcoming this barrier could provide some of the most promising opportunities to reduce the burden of dementia.…”

“…Maintaining independence is a crucial goal for the sustainability of dementia care, as current population predictions show the caregiver-to-patient ratio is expected to reduce dramatically by 20504. Furthermore, the trend of older adults moving away from cities into rural areas post-retirement poses a significant challenge to healthcare delivery.…”

“…Furthermore, the trend of older adults moving away from cities into rural areas post-retirement poses a significant challenge to healthcare delivery. Therefore the development of systems that provide support and prevent emergency situations24 34 when carers are unavailable, or allow carers to remotely monitor and assist multiple patients,34 will be increasingly important in the future 4…”

A methodological framework for exploring the applicability of virtual reality in cognitive disabilities care

“…Such strategies are meant to facilitate people with age-related cognitive impairment to maintain or enhance meaningful functioning, engagement, and participation in everyday life activities with their families and communities (Clare, 2017). Conceptually, CCT could be thought of as belonging to a boarder class of intelligent computer-based assistive applications, of which the rapidly emerging virtual intelligent assistant gadgets and applications are also part, which have the ability to communicate information through data networks, and are referred as a whole as Intelligent Assistive Technologies (IATs), of course including those specifically aimed at dementia care (Ienca et al, 2017). While CCT continues to be investigated and developed, it is also being recommended and adopted as an effective intervention for the elderly population in…”