Mobile app-based interventions to improve the well-being of people with dementia: a systematic literature review

ABSTRACT

As the global aging trend increases, dementia pressures families and society. Mobile apps that provide interventions and independence for people with dementia (PwD) may relieve this pressure. This study reviews mobile app-based interventions designed for use with PwD, focusing on the type, design, and evaluation of mobile apps. This study searched PubMed, Web of Science, SpringerLink, Taylor & Francis, and IEEE Xplore databases for mobile applications designed for people with disabilities and reported the evaluation results. This study aimed to find out what types of mobile apps developed for people with dementia were marketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, to find out what relevant studies have been done to evaluate mobile apps, and whether users have benefited. Twenty papers were eligible, covering four different intervention types and assessment methods. This review found that Serious games can improve the cognitive abilities of PwD and contribute to the mental recovery of patients. Recall therapy and musical mobile apps help PwD slow down memory loss. Personal life mobile apps are effective in assisting PwD to improve independent living.

KEYWORDS:

• dementia
• independence
• interventions
• mobile application
• well-being

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Relevant data can be obtained by contacting the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the 2021 Ministry of Education Industry-University Cooperation Collaborative Education Project [202101288005, 202101317005].