Experiences of residents in long-term-care homes with socially assistive technologies and the effectiveness of these technologies: a mixed methods systematic review protocol.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this review is to explore the experiences of residents in long-term-care homes using socially assistive technologies and the effectiveness of these technologies in relation to depression, loneliness, and social interaction. INTRODUCTION Research related to the experiences of residents in long-term-care homes with socially assistive technologies, and their effectiveness, is limited. This population of older adults is projected to steeply increase in the future, as will the need for services, such as long-term care. Older adults (≥65) in long-term care are at increased risk of depression, loneliness, and social isolation. Therefore, there is a need to explore the experiences of long-term-care residents in the use of socially assistive technologies and to determine the effectiveness of these technologies in relation to depression, loneliness, and social interaction. INCLUSION CRITERIA This review will include studies about the experiences of older adults in long-term care using socially assistive technologies, and the effectiveness of these technologies. Older adults are defined as people 65 years of age and above. We will consider human-to-human socially assistive technologies, such as computers, smart phones, tablets, and associated applications. We will review quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies from the inception of databases to present. METHODS A JBI mixed methods convergent segregated approach will be used. Select databases and gray literature will be searched for published and unpublished studies. Titles, abstracts, and full texts of included studies will be screened by at least two reviewers, and undergo quality appraisal, data extraction, and synthesis of quantitative and qualitative data followed by integration of the two types of evidence. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER PROSPERO CRD42021279015.

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