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The Application of Artificial Intelligence to Older Adults With Disabilities: A Scoping Review
Xingzi Chen, Liuyi Zhang. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 2026-01-20
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
ObjectiveTo review the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the care of older adults with disabilities, identifying intervention type, target populations, and effects.MethodsA literature search was performed in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, CNKI, SinoMed, and Wanfang. The search period is from the establishment of databases to November 2, 2024.ResultsA total of 15 studies (13 randomized controlled trials, 1 experimental study, and 1 quasi-experimental study) were included. AI applications in the care of older adults with disabilities were categorized into three domains: rehabilitation, companionship, and reduction of caregiver burden. The study focused on cognitive impairment or dementia, those with physical functional limitations, and those in need of long-term care. The main AI technologies involved human-computer interaction, web applications, data algorithms, and robotics.ConclusionAI shows promise in older adults with disabilities, though further development and support are needed for better integration.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Chen, X., & Zhang, L. (2026). The Application of Artificial Intelligence to Older Adults With Disabilities: A Scoping Review. Journal of Applied Gerontology. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648251408185
Vancouver
Chen X, Zhang L. The Application of Artificial Intelligence to Older Adults With Disabilities: A Scoping Review. Journal of Applied Gerontology. 2026. doi:10.1177/07334648251408185. PMID: 41556097.
BibTeX
@article{chen2026-41556097,
author = {Chen, Xingzi and Zhang, Liuyi},
title = {{The Application of Artificial Intelligence to Older Adults With Disabilities: A Scoping Review}},
journal = {Journal of Applied Gerontology},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1177/07334648251408185},
pmid = {41556097},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648251408185}
}
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Key findings
- ObjectiveTo review the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the care of older adults with disabilities, identifying intervention type, target populations, and effects.MethodsA literature search was performed in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, CNKI, SinoMed, and Wanfang.
- The search period is from the establishment of databases to November 2, 2024.ResultsA total of 15 studies (13 randomized controlled trials, 1 experimental study, and 1 quasi-experimental study) were included.
- AI applications in the care of older adults with disabilities were categorized into three domains: rehabilitation, companionship, and reduction of caregiver burden.
- The study focused on cognitive impairment or dementia, those with physical functional limitations, and those in need of long-term care.
- The main AI technologies involved human-computer interaction, web applications, data algorithms, and robotics.ConclusionAI shows promise in older adults with disabilities, though further development and support are needed for better integration.
Why it matters
This scoping review found that artificial intelligence applications for older adults with disabilities, including those with cognitive impairment or dementia, show promise in rehabilitation, companionship and reducing caregiver burden, though further development is needed. It reviews existing studies and does not test any treatment, cure or prevention.
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Study details
- Participants15
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 43/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of Applied Gerontology) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Journal of Applied Gerontology: journal h-index 92 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 5 / 5 | 2026 — within 1 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 15 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 2 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 1.0 citations a year over 2 year(s) since 2026 |
| Impact for its field and year | 5 / 6 | Cited 30.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 2 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Liuyi Zhang: h-index 26 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Hunan Normal University: institution h-index 271 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 41556097) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 43 / 100 | — |
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