Can communication technologies reduce loneliness and social isolation in older people? : a scoping review of reviews

ORCID
0000-0003-1299-4586
Affiliation
Media Psychology and Media Design Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany
Döring, Nicola;
Affiliation
Media Psychology and Media Design Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany
Conde, Melisa;
Affiliation
Electronic Media Technology Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany
Brandenburg, Karlheinz;
Affiliation
Virtual Worlds and Digital Games Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany
Broll, Wolfgang;
Affiliation
Neuroinformatics and Cognitive Robotics Lab, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany
Gross, Horst-Michael;
ORCID
0000-0001-9038-9061
Affiliation
Electronic Media Technology Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany
Werner, Stephan;
ORCID
0000-0002-9357-1763
Affiliation
Audiovisual Technology Group, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany
Raake, Alexander

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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