PROTOCOL: Barriers and Facilitators to the Adoption of Speech-Based Cognitive Screening Tools: A Protocol for Systematic Review of Qualitative Evidence.

Abstract

Cognitive impairment, including conditions like dementia, is a growing public health concern as the global population ages. Early detection and diagnosis are critical for optimal management and support. Speech-based cognitive screening tools have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional methods, leveraging advances in natural language processing and machine learning to analyze speech samples for signs of cognitive decline. Despite their potential, the adoption of speech-based screening tools in clinical practice has been slow. This systematic review protocol outlines a plan to synthesize qualitative evidence on the barriers and facilitators to the adoption of speech-based cognitive screening tools. The review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) statement. Eleven electronic databases will be searched: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, MEDLINE (via Ovid), The Cochrane Library, Campbell Collaboration Library, PsycINFO, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and ACM Digital Library. Two reviewers will independently screen studies using Covidence software, extract data, assess methodological quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) qualitative checklist, and evaluate confidence in the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation-Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (GRADE-CERQual) approach. Thematic synthesis will be used to analyze the evidence. The results will provide insights to inform the development, evaluation, and implementation of speech-based cognitive screening tools, ultimately improving early detection and care for individuals with cognitive impairment.