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The use of digital technologies by people with mild-to-moderate dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A positive technology perspective
Talbot CV, Briggs P.. Dementia (London, England), 2022-03-25
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
A growing body of research has shown that people with dementia are using digital technologies to enhance lived experience. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new digital opportunities and challenges and so provides a unique opportunity to understand how people with dementia have adapted to this new digital landscape. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 people with dementia and analysed thematically. We generated five themes, showing how participants used digital means to combat the stresses of the pandemic by facilitating social connection, self-actualisation, enhanced well-being and by assisting with activities of daily life. These technologies helped to reduce isolation, provide access to support groups, create opportunities for cognitive stimulation and self-development, and engendered a sense of identity at a time of perceived loss. Despite these benefits, participants also reported challenges regarding cognitive fatigue and usability issues. We recommend that training on how to use digital technologies is co-produced with people with dementia and designers engage with the voices of people with dementia throughout the design process. In turn, this could promote the social connectedness, well-being and self-worth of people with dementia.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Talbot, C. V., & Briggs, P. (2022). The use of digital technologies by people with mild-to-moderate dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A positive technology perspective. Dementia (London, England). https://doi.org/10.1177/14713012221079477
Vancouver
Talbot CV, Briggs P. The use of digital technologies by people with mild-to-moderate dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A positive technology perspective. Dementia (London, England). 2022. doi:10.1177/14713012221079477. PMID: 35333111.
BibTeX
@article{talbot2022-35333111,
author = {Talbot, C. V. and Briggs, P.},
title = {{The use of digital technologies by people with mild-to-moderate dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A positive technology perspective}},
journal = {Dementia (London, England)},
year = {2022},
doi = {10.1177/14713012221079477},
pmid = {35333111},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/14713012221079477}
}
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Key findings
- A growing body of research has shown that people with dementia are using digital technologies to enhance lived experience.
Why it matters
People with mild-to-moderate dementia used digital technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce isolation, access support and support well-being, though they also reported cognitive fatigue and usability problems. This is about supporting daily life and well-being, not about treating, curing or preventing dementia.
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Study details
- Participants19
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 48/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, effect reported and randomized / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Dementia (London, England)) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Dementia: 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 | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 3 / 5 | 2022 — within 6 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 19 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) |
| Randomized / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomization or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 4 / 7 | Cited 70 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 11.7 citations a year over 6 year(s) since 2022 |
| Impact for its field and year | 5 / 6 | Cited 25.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 44 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Pam Briggs: h-index 42 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Northumbria University: institution h-index 354 (OpenAlex) |
| Multicenter collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 35333111) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 48 / 100 | — |
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