Can Communication Technologies Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older People? A Scoping Review of Reviews

Nicola M. Döring · Melisa Conde · Karlheinz Brandenburg · Wolfgang Broll · Horst–Michael Groß · Stephan Werner +1 more

64 citations0/0 files storedInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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Technology Use by Older Adults Aging, Health, and Disability Health disparities and outcomes

Abstract

Background: Loneliness and social isolation in older age are considered major public health concerns and research on technology-based solutions is growing rapidly. This scoping review of reviews aims to summarize the communication technologies (CTs) (review question RQ1), theoretical frameworks (RQ2), study designs (RQ3), and positive effects of technology use (RQ4) present in the research field. Methods: A comprehensive multi-disciplinary, multi-database literature search was conducted. Identified reviews were analyzed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework. A total of N = 28 research reviews that cover 248 primary studies spanning 50 years were included. Results: The majority of the included reviews addressed general internet and computer use (82% each) (RQ1). Of the 28 reviews, only one (4%) worked with a theoretical framework (RQ2) and 26 (93%) covered primary studies with quantitative-experimental designs (RQ3). The positive effects of technology use were shown in 55% of the outcome measures for loneliness and 44% of the outcome measures for social isolation (RQ4). Conclusion: While research reviews show that CTs can reduce loneliness and social isolation in older people, causal evidence is limited and insights on innovative technologies such as augmented reality systems are scarce.

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References

2018PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation 2005Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework 2017AMSTAR 2: a critical appraisal tool for systematic reviews that include randomised or non-randomised studies of healthcare interventions, or both 1995Design and natural science research on information technology 1978Developing a Measure of Loneliness 2010A Meta-Analysis of Interventions to Reduce Loneliness 2005Preventing social isolation and loneliness among older people: a systematic review of health promotion interventions 2006Loneliness within a nomological net: An evolutionary perspective

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