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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 [email protected].
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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

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