JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Technological advances in robotics, artificial intelligence, cognitive algorithms, and virtual coaches have created devices capable of responding to the demographic aging of the Western world population. Numerous studies have explored the impact of robotic coaches in older adults with or without major neurocognitive disorders and have shown benefits on the quality of life of these individuals, as well as on home maintenance. However, their use by potentially vulnerable individuals raises many ethical questions.

Objective:

Thus, the objective of this article is to highlight the ethical issues related to the use of these technologies in a care and prevention practice with older adults (OAs) and to propose recommendations for researchers and health professionals caring these persons.

Methods:

We conducted a narrative review of the literature to find publications including an analysis of the ethical dimension and recommendations on the use of robotic coaches for older adults. A qualitative analysis methodology inspired by a Health Technology Assessment model (HTA) was carried out. Twenty-five publications were identified ranging from 2011 to 2021.

Results:

These articles were analyzed under the prism of the HTA Core Model®, version 3.0, so five dimensions: benefit-harm balance, autonomy, privacy, justice and equity and legislations. The included publications presented ethical issues and/or highlighted recommendations for implementation of these robotic coaching solutions in a geriatric population.

Conclusions:

Our analysis again supports the interest of robotic coaches for older adults because of the possible benefits on quality of life and well-being. This article also highlights many ethical issues. We suggest that an ethical and regulatory framework in perpetual evolution must be implemented to accompany the development and the implementation of robotic coaches on various aspects related to the technique, the individual, or the legal aspects.