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Using embodied conversational agents to combat loneliness in older adults : a scoping review

Bousardt, H.M. (2022) Using embodied conversational agents to combat loneliness in older adults : a scoping review.

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Abstract:Background. Loneliness has a high prevalence among older people, and with an increasingly aging population, combatting elderly loneliness becomes an important health care issue. In response to this and given the rapid developments of new technologies and its use in psychological interventions, research started to investigate the potential of using Embodied Conversational Agents (ECA) to combat feelings of loneliness. Objective. This scoping review aims to map what is known about ECAs used to reduce loneliness in older adults, focusing on the ECAs’ main design features, effectiveness, factors influencing older adult’s intention to use ECAs, and the types of attitudes older adults have towards ECAs. Method. The scoping review was conducted according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A literature search was performed in PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus with a combination of search terms related to loneliness, older adults, and ECAs. The quality of the included articles was assessed based on the framework proposed by Ter Stal (2021). Results. A final set of 5 articles were included in the review. Except one, all studies included less than 50 participants and thus, received the lowest quality label. Three studies reported that either loneliness decreased, or social support increased after participants used the ECA. Several design features were identified which were in line with prior research. Solely one study statistically investigated use-related outcomes which did not show to predict ECA use. Older adults’ attitudes towards ECAs mainly concerned perceived strengths and weaknesses. Overall, more positive than negative aspects were reported, with strengths mainly addressing the offered companionship by the ECA, and as weaknesses primarily mentioning the restricted options of communication between user and ECA. Conclusion. ECAs can be effective in reducing loneliness in older adults but further research is needed as results on their effectiveness are divergent. Based on the insights on design features, ECA’s abilities to have natural and unrestricted conversations show to be important for the elderly users. Therefore, the communication modalities need to be especially considered when designing ECAs to reduce loneliness. Research on use-related outcomes for ECAs in that context is scarce and needs further investigation. Keywords: Embodied conversational agent, eHealth, loneliness, older adults, health care, review
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/92821
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