Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-t5tsf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-15T03:16:48.822Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Are people with mild dementia able to (re)learn how to use technology? A literature review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 2021

Y. J. F. Kerkhof Open the ORCID record for Y. J. F. Kerkhof [Opens in a new window] ,
A. Bergsma Open the ORCID record for A. Bergsma [Opens in a new window] ,
F. Mangiaracina Open the ORCID record for F. Mangiaracina [Opens in a new window] ,
C. H. M. Planting Open the ORCID record for C. H. M. Planting [Opens in a new window] ,
M. J. L. Graff  and
R. M. Dröes Open the ORCID record for R. M. Dröes [Opens in a new window]
Y. J. F. Kerkhof*
Affiliation:
Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Centre for Nursing Research, Deventer/ Enschede, The Netherlands Amsterdam University Medical Centres, location VUmc, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
A. Bergsma
Affiliation:
Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Centre for Nursing Research, Deventer/ Enschede, The Netherlands
F. Mangiaracina
Affiliation:
Amsterdam University Medical Centres, location VUmc, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
C. H. M. Planting
Affiliation:
Amsterdam University Medical Centres, location VUmc, University Library, GGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
M. J. L. Graff
Affiliation:
Radboud University Medical Centre, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare, Radboud Alzheimer Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
R. M. Dröes
Affiliation:
Amsterdam University Medical Centres, location VUmc, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Yvonne J. F. Kerkhof, Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Centre for Nursing Research, Handelskade 75, 7417 DHDeventer, The Netherlands. Phone 0031612373111. Email y.j.f.kerkhof@saxion.nl.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

There is growing evidence that people with mild dementia can benefit from using tablets and apps. Due to their cognitive decline, people with dementia need support in learning how to use these devices. The objective of this review was to identify which training interventions work best to help people with mild dementia (re)learn how to use technologies, including handheld touchscreen devices. Because the uptake of these devices in people with dementia is quite new, training interventions for the use of other technologies were also included, such as technologies assisting people in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL).

Design:

An electronic search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, APA PsycInfo (EBSCO), and CINAHL (EBSCO). Themes discussed include the learning effects; training method (e.g. errorful (EF) and errorless (EL) learning); training intensity and setting; technology task type; dementia type and severity; and study design and outcome measures.

Results:

In total, 16 studies were included. All studies reported positive learning effects and improved task performance in people with dementia, regardless of dementia severity, training intensity, setting, and the method used. Although the EL training method was successful more often than the EF training method, it would be inappropriate to conclude that the EL method is more effective, because the majority of studies only investigated EL training interventions with (multiple) single-case study designs.

Conclusion:

Future research should consider using more robust study designs, such as RCTs, to evaluate the effectiveness of training interventions for (re)learning technology-orientated tasks, including operating handheld touchscreen devices.

Keywords

dementiatechnologyInstrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)tablet computerstraining interventionserrorless learningeffectiveness
Type
Review Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 34 , Issue 2: Issue Theme: Technology, Virtual Reality, and Other Promising Interventions for Older Adults , February 2022 , pp. 113 - 128
Copyright
© International Psychogeriatric Association 2021

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

Astell, A. J. et al. (2016). Does familiarity affect the enjoyment of touchscreen games for people with dementia? International Journal Medical Informatics, 91, e1–e8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2016.02.001CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bier, N. et al. (2015). Relying on procedural memory to enhance independence in daily living activities: smartphone use in a case of semantic dementia. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 25, 913–935. doi: 10.1080/09602011.2014.997745CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bier, N., Paquette, G. and Macoir, J. (2015). Smartphone for smart living: using new technologies to cope with everyday limitations in semantic dementia. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 1–21. doi: 10.1080/09602011.2015.1094395Google ScholarPubMed
Bier, N., Provencher, V., Gagnon, L., Van der Linden, M., Adam, S. and Desrosiers, J. (2008). New learning in dementia: transfer and spontaneous use of learning in everyday life functioning. Two case studies. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 18, 204–235. doi: 10.1080/09602010701406581CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bourgeois, J. et al. (2016). Relearning of activities of daily living: a comparison of the effectiveness of three learning methods in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer Type. Journal of Nutrition Health Aging, 20, 48–55. doi: 10.1007/s12603-016-0675-4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Caffò, A., Hoogeveen, F., Perilli, V. and Groenendaal, M. (2014). Lerend vermogen bij dementie [Learning capacity in dementia]. TvZ: tijdschrift voor verpleegkundige Experts, 2014, 42–45.Google Scholar
Castillo, C. M., Woods, B. and Orrell, M. (2010). People with dementia living alone: what are their needs and what kind of support are they receiving? International Psychogeriatrics, 22, 607–617. doi: 10.1017/S104161021000013XCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Castillo, C. M., Woods, B. and Orrell, M. (2013). The needs of people with dementia living at home from user, caregiver and professional perspectives: a cross-sectional survey. BMC Health Services Research, 13, 43. doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-13-43CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clare, L. and Jones, R. S. P. (2008). Errorless learning in the rehabilitation of memory impairment: a critical review. Neuropsychological Review, 18, 1–23. doi: 10.1007/s11065-008-9051-4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Creighton, A. S., van der Ploeg, E. S. and O’Connor, D. W. (2013). A literature review of spaced-retrieval interventions: a direct memory intervention for people with dementia. International Psychogeriatrics, 25, 1743–1763. doi: 10.1017/S1041610213001233CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cutler, C., Hicks, B. and Innes, A. (2016). Does digital gaming enable healthy aging for community-dwelling people with dementia? Games and Culture: A Journal of Interactive Media, 11, 104–129. doi: 10.1177/1555412015600580CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Werd, M. M., Boelen, D., Rikkert, M. G. and Kessels, R. P. (2013). Errorless learning of everyday tasks in people with dementia. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 8, 1177–1190. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S46809Google ScholarPubMed
Dechamps, A. et al. (2011). Effects of different learning methods for instrumental activities of daily living in patients with alzheimer’s dementia: a pilot study. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, 26, 273–281. doi: 10.1177/1533317511404394CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Foloppe, D. A., Richard, P., Yamaguchi, T., Etcharry-Bouyx, F. and Allain, P. (2015). The potential of virtual reality-based training to enhance the functional autonomy of Alzheimer’s disease patients in cooking activities: a single case study. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 1–25. doi: 10.1080/09602011.2015.1094394Google ScholarPubMed
Germain, S. et al. (2019) Efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation in Alzheimer disease: a 1-year follow-up study. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, 32, 16–23. doi: 10.1177/0891988718813724CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gibson, A. et al. (2016). Assessing usability testing for people living with dementia. In: Proceedings of the 4th Workshop on ICTs for improving Patients Rehabilitation Research Techniques. [online] Lisbon: REHAB 2016, pp. 25–31. Available at: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/287021274.pdf; accessed 10 January 201810.1145/3051488.3051492CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Graff, M. J., Vernooij-Dassen, M. J., Thijssen, M., Dekker, J., Hoefnagels, W. H. and Rikkert, M. G. (2006). Community based occupational therapy for patients with dementia and their care givers: randomised controlled trial. British Medical Journal, 333, 1196–1199. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39001.688843.BECrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
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, 91–108. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Groenewoud, H., de Lange, J., Schikhof, Y., Astell, A., Jodrell, P. and Goumans, M. (2017). People with dementia playing casual games on a tablet. Gerontechnology, 16, 37–47.10.4017/gt.2017.16.1.004.00CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Higgins, J. and Green, S. (2011). Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. Version 5.1.0. The Cochrane Collaboration. Available at: https://training.cochrane.org/handbook/archive/v5.1/; accessed 10 January 2018Google Scholar
Hitch, D., Swan, J., Pattison, R. and Stefaniak, R. (2017). Use of touchscreen tablet technology by people with dementia in homes: a scoping review. Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering, 4, 1–8. doi: 10.1177/2055668317733382.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hopper, T. et al. (2013). An evidence-based systematic review on cognitive interventions for individuals with dementia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 22, 126–145. doi: 10.1044/1058-0360(2012/11-0137)CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Huber, M. et al. (2011). How should we define health? British Medical Journal, 343. doi: 10.1136/bmj.d4163CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Imbeault, H. et al. (2014). Electronic organiser and Alzheimer’s disease: fact or fiction? Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 24, 71–100. doi: 10.1080/09602011.2013.858641CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Imbeault, H. et al. (2016). Impact of AP@LZ in the daily life of three persons with Alzheimer’s disease: long-term use and further exploration of its effectiveness. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 1–24. doi: 10.1080/09602011.2016.1172491Google ScholarPubMed
Imbeault, H., Langlois, F., Bocti, C., Gagnon, L. and Bier, N. (2018). Can people with Alzheimer’s disease improve their day-to-day functioning with a tablet computer? Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 28, 779–796. doi: 10.1080/09602011.2015.1133431CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
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.5788CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kelly, M. E., Lawlor, B. A., Coen, R. F., Robertson, I. H. and Brennan, S. (2019). Cognitive rehabilitation for early stage Alzheimer’s disease: a pilot study with an Irish population. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 36, 105–119. doi: 10.1017/ipm.2017.23CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kerkhof, Y. J. F., de Vocht, H. M., Graff, M. J. L. and Dröes, R. M. (2016). Better self-management and more meaningful activities thanks to tablets? A person-centred programme to supports people with dementia and their carers. International Psychogeriatrics, 28, 1917–1929. doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610216001071CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kerkhof, Y. J. F., Rabiee, F. and Willems, C. G. (2015). Experiences of using a memory aid to structure and support daily activities in a small-scale group accommodation for people with dementia. Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 14, 633–649. doi: 10.1177/1471301213504210CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kessels, R. P. C. and Joosten-Weyn Banningh, L. (2008). Het impliciete geheugen and the effectiviteit van foutloos leren bij dementie [The implicit memory and the effectiveness of errorless learning in dementia]. GedragstherapieGedragstherapie, 41, 91–103.Google Scholar
Kurth, S. et al. (2020). Efficacy of Cognitive Rehabilitation Versus Usual Treatment at Home in Patients With Early Stages of Alzheimer Disease. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology. doi: 10.1177/0891988720924721.Google ScholarPubMed
Lekeu, F., Wojtasik, V., Van der Linden, M. and Salmon, E. (2002). Training early Alzheimer patients to use a mobile phone. Acta Neurologica Belgica, 102, 114–121.Google ScholarPubMed
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, 174–182. doi: 10.1159/000343986CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Marceglia, S., Bonacina, S., Zaccaria, V., Pagliari, C. and Pinciroli, F. (2012). How might the iPad change healthcare? Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 105, 233–241. doi: 10.1258/jrsm.2012.110296CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Martin, F., Turner, A., Wallace, L. M., Choudhry, K. and Bradbury, N. (2012). Perceived barriers to self-management for people with dementia in the early stages. Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 12, 481–493. doi: 10.1177/1471301211434677Google ScholarPubMed
Martins, C. R. and Dal Sasso, G. T. M. (2008). Technology: definitions and reflections for nursing and health care practice. Texto & Contexto-Enfermagem, 17, 11–12. doi: 10.1590/S0104-07072008000100001CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G. and for The PRISMA Group (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement. British Medical Journal, 339. doi: 10.1136/bmj.b2535CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Naumann, A. B., Hurtienne, J., Göllner, S., Langdon, P. M. and Clarkson, P. J. (2011). Technology supporting the everyday life of people with dementia. In: Proceedings Include 2011. [online] London: Royal College of Art, pp 318–327. Available at: file:///C:/Users/Saxion/Downloads/Include_2011_Proceedings_final_-_Section_3.pdf; accessed 10 December 2018Google Scholar
Øksnebjerg, L. et al. (2020). A Tablet App Supporting Self-Management for People With Dementia: Explorative Study of Adoption and Use Patterns. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, 8, pp. e14694. doi: 10.2196/14694CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Perneczky, R., Wagenpfeil, S., Komossa, K., Grimmer, T., Diehl, J. and Kurz, A. (2006). Mapping scores onto stages: mini-mental state examination and clinical dementia rating. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 14, 139–144.10.1097/01.JGP.0000192478.82189.a8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Quittre, A., Olivier, C. and Salmon, E. (2005). Compensating strategies for impaired episodic memory and time orientation in a patient with Alzheimer’s disease. Acta Neurologica Belgica, 105, 30–38.Google Scholar
Reisberg, B., Ferris, S. H., de Leon, M. J. and Crook, T. (1982). The Global Deterioration Scale for assessment of primary degenerative dementia. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 139, 1136–1139.Google ScholarPubMed
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, 332–345. doi: 10.1504/IJCIH.2012.051810CrossRefGoogle 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, 871–891.10.1080/01688638908400941CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Thivierge, S., Jean, L. and Simard, M. (2014). A randomized cross-over controlled study on cognitive rehabilitation of instrumental activities of daily living in Alzheimer disease. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 22, 1188–1199. doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2013.03.008CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thivierge, S., Simard, M., Jean, L. and Grandmaison, É. (2008). Errorless learning and spaced retrieval techniques to relearn instrumental activities of daily living in mild Alzheimer’s disease: a case report study. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 4, 987–999. doi: 10.2147/ndt.s3684Google ScholarPubMed
Tyack, C. and Camic, P. M. (2017). Touchscreen interventions and the well-being of people with dementia and caregivers: a systematic review. International Psychogeriatrics, 29, 1261–1280. doi: 10.1017/S1041610217000667CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
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, 36, 864–894. doi: 10.1177/0733464815617287CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Upton, D., Upton, P., Jones, T., Jutlla, K. and Brooker, D. (2011). Evaluation of the impact of touch screen technology on people with dementia and their carers within care home settings. Worcester: University of Worcester. Available at: http://79.170.44.96/lifestorynetwork.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/11/evaluation-of-the-impact-of-the-use-of-touchscreen-technology-with-people-with-dementia-.pdf; assessed 12 December 2018Google Scholar
Van der Roest, H. G. et al. (2009). What do community-dwelling people with dementia need? A survey of those who are known to care and welfare services. International Psychogeriatrics, 21, 949–965. doi: 10.1017/S1041610209990147CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van Tilborg, I. A. D. A., Kessels, R. P. C. and Hulstijn, W. (2011). How should we teach everyday skills in dementia? A controlled study comparing implicit and explicit training methods. Clinical Rehabilitation, 25, 638–648. doi: 10.1177/0269215510396738CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Voigt-Radloff, S. et al. (2017). Structured relearning of activities of daily living in dementia: the randomized controlled REDALI-DEM trial on errorless learning. Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, 9, 22. doi: 10.1186/s13195-017-0247-9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed