Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-4rdpn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-17T16:38:50.879Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Touchscreen interventions and the well-being of people with dementia and caregivers: a systematic review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 April 2017

Charlie Tyack
Affiliation:
Salomons Centre for Applied Psychology, Canterbury Christ Church University
Paul M. Camic*
Affiliation:
Salomons Centre for Applied Psychology, Canterbury Christ Church University
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Prof. Paul M. Camic, Salomons Centre for Applied Psychology, Canterbury Christ Church University, Broomhill Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0TF, UK. Email: paul.camic@canterbury.ac.uk.

Abstract

Background:

Dementia can have significant detrimental impacts on the well-being of those with the disease and their carers. A range of computer-based interventions, including touchscreen-based interventions have been researched for use with this population in the hope that they might improve psychological well-being. This article reviews touchscreen-based interventions designed to be used by people with dementia (PWD), with a specific focus in assessing their impact on well-being.

Method:

The data bases, PsycInfo, ASSIA, Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane Reviews were searched for touchscreen-based interventions designed to be used by PWD with reported psychological well-being outcomes. Methodological quality was assessed using Pluye and Hong's (2014) Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) checklist.

Results:

Sixteen papers were eligible. They covered 14 methodologically diverse interventions. Interventions were reported to be beneficial in relation to mental health, social interaction, and sense of mastery. Touchscreen interventions also reportedly benefit informal carers in relation to their perceived burden and the quality of their relationships with the people they care for. Key aspects included the user interface, provision of support, learning style, tailored content, appropriate challenge, ergonomics, and users’ dementia progression.

Conclusions:

Whilst much of the existing research is relatively small-scale, the findings tentatively suggest that touchscreen-based interventions can improve the psychological well-being of PWD, and possibilities for more rigorous future research are suggested.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alm, N. et al. (2009). Engaging multimedia leisure for people with dementia. Gerontechnology, 8, 236246. doi: 10.4017/gt.2009.08.04.006.00 Google Scholar
Alm, N., Astell, A., Ellis, M., Dye, R., Gowans, G. and Campbell, J. (2004). A cognitive prosthesis and communication support for people with dementia. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 14, 117134. doi: 10.1080/09602010343000147.Google Scholar
Alm, N., Dye, R., Gowans, G., Campbell, J., Astell, A. J. and Ellis, M. (2007). A communication support system for older people with dementia. IEEE Computer. doi: 10.1109/mc.2007.153 Google Scholar
Alzheimer's Society. (2014). Dementia UK: Update. London, UK: Alzheimer's Society. [online] Available at: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/download_info.php?fileID=2323.Google Scholar
Astell, A. J. et al. (2010). Using a touch screen computer to support relationships between people with dementia and caregivers. Interacting with Computers, 22, 267275. doi: 10.1016/j.intcom.2010.03.003 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Astell, A. (2006). Technology and personhood in dementia care. Quality in Ageing – Quality, Practice and Research, 7, 1525. doi: 10.1108/14717794200600004 Google Scholar
Astell, A. J., Alm, N., Gowans, G., Ellis, M. P., Dye, R., and Campbell, J. (2008). CIRCA: a communication prosthesis for dementia. In Mihailidis, A., Boger, J., Kautz, H., and Normie, L. (eds.), Technology and Aging (pp. 6776). (Assistive Technology Research Series; Vol. 21). Amsterdam: IOS Press.Google Scholar
Bail, K. D. (2003). Electronic tagging of people with dementia: devices may be preferable to locked doors. BMJ, 326, 281. doi: 10.1136/bmj.326.7383.281 Google Scholar
Bourque, P., Blanchard, L. and Vézina, J. (1990). Étude psychométrique de l'Échelle de dépression gériatrique. [Psychometric properties of the geriatric depression scale]. Canadian Journal on Aging/La Revue Canadienne du Vieillissement, 9, 348355. doi: 10.1017/s0714980800007467 Google Scholar
Bowling, A. et al. (2015). Quality of life in dementia: a systematically conducted narrative review of dementia-specific measurement scales. Aging & Mental Health, 19, 1331. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2014.915923 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Camfield, L. and Skevington, S. M. (2008). On subjective well-being and quality of life. Journal of Health Psychology, 13, 764775. doi: 10.1177/1359105308093860 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Camic, P. M., Hulbert, S. and Kimmel, J. (2017). Museum object handling: a health promoting community-based activity for dementia care. Journal of Health Psychology. Advanced access: doi: 10.1177/1359105316685899 Google Scholar
Camic, P. M., Tischler, V. and Pearman, C. H. (2014). Viewing and making art together: a multi-session art-gallery-based intervention for people with dementia and their carers. Aging & Mental Health, 18, 161168. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2013.818101 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cole, E. (1999). Cognitive prosthetics: an overview to a method of treatment. Neurorehabilitation, 12, 3951.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. (2013). CASP Checklists. Retrieved from http://www.casp-uk.net/#!casp-tools-checklists/c18f8.Google Scholar
Deci, E. L. and Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11, 227268. doi: 10.1207/s15327965pli1104_01 Google Scholar
Diener, E. (2006). Guidelines for national indicators of subjective well-being and ill-being. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 1, 151157. doi: 10.1007/s11482-006-9007-x Google Scholar
Docampo Rama, M., Ridder, H. D. and Bouma, H. (2001). Technology generation and age in using layered user interfaces. Gerontechnology, 1, 2540. doi: 10.4017/gt.2001.01.01.003.00 Google Scholar
Eekelaar, C., Camic, P. M. and Springham, N. (2012). Art galleries, episodic memory and verbal fluency in dementia: an exploratory study. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 6, 262272. doi: 10.1037/a0027499 Google Scholar
Eslinger, P. J. and Damasio, A. R. (1986). Preserved motor learning in Alzheimer's disease: Implications for anatomy and behavior. The Journal of Neuroscience, 6, 30063009.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Folstein, M. F., Folstein, S. E. & McHugh, P. R. (1975). Mini-mental state: a practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 12, 189196. doi: 10.1016/0022-3956(75)90026-6 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Godwin, K. M., Mills, W. L., Anderson, J. A., & Kunik, M. E. (2013). Technology-driven interventions for caregivers of persons with dementia: A systematic review. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, 28, 216222. doi: 10.1177/1533317513481091 Google Scholar
Grant, M. J. and Booth, A. (2009). A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 26, 91108. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x Google Scholar
Hannemann, B. T. (2006). Creativity with dementia patients: can creativity and art stimulate dementia patients positively?. Gerontology, 52, 5965. doi: 10.1159/000089827 Google Scholar
Hébert, R., Bravo, G. and Girouard, D. (1993). Fidélité de la traduction française de trois instruments d'évaluation des aidants naturels de malades déments. [Reliability of the translation of three assessment instruments for caregivers of dementia patients]. Canadian Journal on Aging/La revue Canadienne du Vieillissement, 12, 324337. doi: 10.1017/s0714980800013726 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hofmann, M. et al. (2003). Interactive computer-training as a therapeutic tool in Alzheimer's disease. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 44, 213219. doi: 10.1016/s0010-440x(03)00006-3 Google Scholar
Hofmann, M., Hock, C., Kühler, A. and Müller-Spahn, F. (1996). Interactive computer-based cognitive training in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 30, 493501. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3956(96)00036-2 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Huber, M. et al. (2011). How should we define health?. British Medical Journal, 343, 13. doi: 10.1136/bmj.d4163 Google Scholar
Imbeault, H. et al. (2013). Electronic organiser and Alzheimer's disease: fact or fiction? Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 24, 71100.Google Scholar
Joddrell, P. and Astell, A. J. (2016). Studies involving people with dementia and touchscreen technology: a literature review. JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies, 3, e10. doi: 10.2196/rehab.5788 Google Scholar
Karlsson, T., Bäckman, L., Herlitz, A., Nilsson, L. G., Winblad, B. and Österlind, P. O. (1989). Memory improvement at different stages of Alzheimer's disease. Neuropsychologia, 27, 737742. doi: 10.1016/0028-3932(89)90119-x Google Scholar
Kitwood, T. (1997). Dementia Reconsidered: The Person Comes First. Buckingham: Open University Press.Google Scholar
Laffan, A. J., Metzler-Baddeley, C., Walker, I. and Jones, R. W. (2010). Making errorless learning more active: self-generation in an error free learning context is superior to standard errorless learning of face–name associations in people with Alzheimer's disease. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 20, 197211. doi: 10.1080/09602010903202432 Google Scholar
Leng, F. Y., Yeo, D., George, S. and Barr, C. (2014). Comparison of iPad applications with traditional activities using person-centred care approach: impact on well-being for persons with dementia. Dementia, 13, 265273. doi: 10.1177/1471301213494514 Google Scholar
Leuty, V., Boger, J., Young, L., Hoey, J. and Mihailidis, A. (2013). Engaging older adults with dementia in creative occupations using artificially intelligent assistive technology. Assistive Technology, 25, 7279. doi: 10.1080/10400435.2012.715113 Google Scholar
Lewis, F. I. and Torgerson, P. R. (2017). The current and future burden of late-onset dementia in the United Kingdom: estimates and interventions. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 13, 3844. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2016.03.013 Google Scholar
Lim, F. S., Wallace, T., Luszcz, M. A. and Reynolds, K. J. (2013). Usability of tablet computers by people with early-stage dementia. Gerontology, 59, 174182. doi: 10.1159/000343986 Google Scholar
McKechnie, V., Barker, C. and Stott, J. (2014). Effectiveness of computer-mediated interventions for informal carers of people with dementia–a systematic review. International Psychogeriatrics, 26, 16191637. doi: 10.1017/s1041610214001045 Google Scholar
McKerlie, D. and Preece, J. J. (1992). The hypermedia effect: More than just the sum of its parts. In Gornostaev, J. (ed.), International HCI Conference Proceedings (pp. 115126). St. Petersburg: International Centre for Scientific And Technical Information.Google Scholar
Meiland, F. J. et al. (2012). Usability of a new electronic assistive device for community-dwelling persons with mild dementia. Aging & Mental Health, 16, 584591. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2011.651433 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Montgomery, S. A. and Asberg, M. A. (1979). A new depression scale designed to be sensitive to change. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 134, 382389. doi: 10.1192/bjp.134.4.382 Google Scholar
Nelis, S. M., Clare, L. and Whitaker, C. J. (2013). Attachment in people with dementia and their caregivers: a systematic review. Dementia, 13, 747767. doi: 10.1177/1471301213485232.Google Scholar
Nijhof, N., van Gemert-Pijnen, J. E. W. C., Burns, C. M. and Seydel, E. R. (2013). A personal assistant for dementia to stay at home safe at reduced cost. Gerontechnology, 11, 469479. doi: 10.4017/gt.2013.11.3.005.00 Google Scholar
Norman, D. A. (2002). Emotion and design: attractive things work better. Interactions Magazine, 9, 3642. doi: 10.1145/543434.543435 Google Scholar
Pluye, P. & Hong, Q.N. (2014). Combining the power of stories and the power of numbers: mixed methods research and mixed methods studies. Annual Review of Public Health, 35, 2945. doi: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-032013 Google Scholar
Pratt, M. W., Kerig, P., Cowan, P. A. and Cowan, C. P. (1988). Mothers and fathers teaching 3-year-olds: authoritative parenting and adult scaffolding of young children's learning. Developmental Psychology, 24, 832. doi: 10.1037//0012-1649.24.6.832 Google Scholar
Rhoads, L. (2009). Museums, meaning making, and memories: the need for museum programs for people with dementia and their caregivers. Curator: The Museum Journal, 52, 229240. doi: 10.1111/j.2151-6952.2009.tb00348.x Google Scholar
Riley, P., Alm, N. and Newell, A. (2009). An interactive tool to promote musical creativity in people with dementia. Computers in Human Behavior, 25, 599608. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2008.08.014 Google Scholar
Smith, S. K. and Mountain, G. A. (2012). New forms of information and communication technology (ICT) and the potential to facilitate social and leisure activity for people living with dementia. International Journal of Computers in Healthcare, 1, 332345.Google Scholar
Sohlberg, M. M. and Mateer, C. A. (1989). Training use of compensatory memory books: a three stage behavioral approach. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 11, 871891. doi: 10.1080/01688638908400941 Google Scholar
Teunisse, S. and Derix, M. M. (1991). Meten van het dagelijks functioneren van thuiswonende dementiepatienten: ontwikkeling van een vragenlijst. [Measurement of activities of daily living in patients with dementia living at home: development of a questionnaire]. Tijdschrift voor Gerontologie en Geriatrie, 22, 5359.Google Scholar
Topo, P. et al. (2004). Assessment of a music-based multimedia program for people with dementia. Dementia, 3, 331350. doi: 10.1177/1471301204045164 Google Scholar
Topo, P. (2009). Technology studies to meet the needs of people with dementia and their caregivers: a literature review. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 28, 537. doi: 10.1177/0733464808324019 Google Scholar
Tyack, C., Camic, P. M., Heron, M. J. and Hulbert, S. (2015). Viewing art on a tablet computer: a well-being intervention for people with dementia and their caregivers. Journal of Applied Gerontology. [online] Available at: http://jag.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/12/01/0733464815617287 [Accessed 24 August 2016] doi: 10.1177/0733464815617287 Google Scholar
White, E. B. and Montgomery, P. (2014). Electronic tracking for people with dementia: an exploratory study of the ethical issues experienced by carers in making decisions about usage. Dementia, 13, 216232.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
World Health Organization Quality Of Life Group. (1995). The world health organization quality of life assessment (WHOQOL): position paper from the world health organization. Social Science & Medicine, 41, 14031409. doi: 10.1016/0277-9536(95)00112-k CrossRefGoogle Scholar
World Health Organization. (2011). Mental Health: A State of Well-being. [online] Available at: http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/mental_health/en/index.html Google Scholar