Jolene Zi Tong Teo, Si Qi Yoong, Yi Xuan Chan, Ying Jiang
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives: With increasing life expectancy, more older adults are experiencing poor mental health because of the significant life transitions they face. Commercial conversational agents (CAs) are emerging devices that can potentially support older adults' mental well-being. However, limited literature has evaluated the influence of commercial CAs on older adults' mental health. This study aims to examine what is known about the effects of commercial CAs on older adults' mental health and the associated features.
Design: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with Arksey and O'Malley's framework.
Setting and participants: The review primarily focused on community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and above who used any commercial CAs.
Methods: Quantitative, qualitative, mixed-method peer-reviewed studies and dissertations were included. Eleven databases were searched for relevant articles published from January 1, 2010, until April 9, 2024. Data extracted included the author(s), year, country, objective, population details, eligibility criteria, study design, commercial CA type, and findings related to research questions. Inductive basic content analysis was used for data synthesis.
Results: Twenty-nine articles from 28 studies (n = 1017 older adults) were included. Five categories were synthesized: social wellness, emotional reactions, cognitive stimulation, autonomy, and depression. Common features impacting older adults' mental health were the CAs' conversational capacity and anthropomorphism, voice-activated functions, music, calling and other functions, and technological limitations. There were more positive than adverse effects on older adults' mental health categories.
Conclusion and implications: Commercial CAs can potentially mitigate mental health in older adults, but the evidence is still very preliminary. Their effects must be verified in randomized controlled trials using objective and validated tools and through mixed-method studies.
期刊介绍：
JAMDA, the official journal of AMDA - The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, is a leading peer-reviewed publication that offers practical information and research geared towards healthcare professionals in the post-acute and long-term care fields. It is also a valuable resource for policy-makers, organizational leaders, educators, and advocates.
The journal provides essential information for various healthcare professionals such as medical directors, attending physicians, nurses, consultant pharmacists, geriatric psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, and others involved in providing, overseeing, and promoting quality
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