The effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions using information and communication technologies for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Although behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are a global public health challenge, non-pharmacological interventions using information and communication technologies can be an affordable, cost-effective, and innovative solution. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions using information and communication technologies on the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and identify potential moderators of intervention effects. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from May 2022. Randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of non-pharmacological interventions using information and communication technologies on the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia were included. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model was performed to calculate the pooled standardized mean differences between overall symptoms and each type of symptom. For moderator analyses, subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed. Results: Sixteen trials (15 articles) met the eligibility criteria. The interventions were grouped into activity engagement interventions using digital health that provided music and reminiscence therapy, physical exercise, social interaction interventions using social robots, and telehealth-based care aid interventions that provided coaching or counseling programs. Pooled evidence demonstrated that non-pharmacological interventions using information and communication technologies exerted a large effect on depression (SMD = − 1.088, 95% CI − 1.983 to − 0.193, p = 0.017), a moderate effect on overall behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (SMD = − 0.664, 95% CI − 0.990 to − 0.338, p < 0.001), and agitation (SMD = − 0.586, 95% CI -1.130 to − 0.042, p = 0.035). No effects on neuropsychiatric symptoms (SMD = − 0.251, 95% CI -0.579 to 0.077, p = 0.133), anxiety (SMD = − 0.541, 95% CI − 1.270 to 0.188, p = 0.146), and apathy (SMD = − 0.830, 95% CI − 1.835 to 0.176, p = 0.106) were reported. Moderator analyses identified the mean age of the participants as a potential moderator of intervention effects. Conclusions: Evidence from this systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that non-pharmacological interventions, using information and communication technologies, were an applicable approach to managing behavioral and psychological symptoms among older adults with dementia, with moderate to large effect sizes. However, evidence on anxiety and apathy is inconclusive due to the limited number of existing randomized controlled trials. Future studies with subgroup analyses are warranted to conclude the most effective types of intervention using information and communication technologies for each type of symptom. Registration: CRD42021258498.