Digital technologies to promote social engagement of nursing home residents: A systematic review of existing literature

Abstract

Abstract Background Digital technologies are seen as helping to support and improve social interaction and participation of people in need of long-term care. This review aims to synthesize types of digital technologies used in nursing homes worldwide and their effects as reported by residents and staff members. In addition, inhibiting and facilitating factors in the use of these technologies are identified and potential for development is described. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted in April 2022 in the databases PubMed, CINAHL, IEEEXplore and ACM Digital Library from inception onwards for publications written in German or English language. Quantitative and qualitative studies were considered. The studies were selected by two independent reviewers according to predefined criteria. For critical appraisal, the RoB 2 tool was used for RCTs and a level of evidence rating for other studies. Results Of 6212 articles found, 24 studies were included. Different digital technologies were identified. The digital technologies most frequently examined in the included studies were mixed technologies, Information and communication technologies, Robotic pets and Virtual Reality. Two out of three included randomized controlled trails showed positive effects on the social participation of the residents, even if for one of them serious concerns on the risk of bias became visible. Thus, only for one technology, i.e. Paro, positive effects could be shown in an evaluation study with high level of evidence. Lack of infrastructure, high costs, ethical concerns, lack of training and user-unfriendly design were cited as inhibiting factors in the included studies. Conclusion: None of the included studies operationalized ‘social participation’ as a direct construct to measure effects. Instead, constructs of ‘loneliness’ or ‘social isolation’ are often used in the existing studies. Though respective technologies are attributed a high potential, there is no high-level evidence that digital technologies can promote social participation of nursing home residents (yet). Further research with high level of evidence is needed to access the constantly growing body of digital technologies and their impact on social participation. In the future, implementation and use of technologies, guidelines and policies for ethical use should be considered.