JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Dementia is a debilitating neurocognitive syndrome affecting millions of individuals each year, as well as global healthcare systems, national economic systems, and direct family members.

Objective:

This study aimed to determine the status of scientific production on digital health technologies (DHTs) usage to support (older) people living with dementia, their families and care partners.

Methods:

A bibliometric analysis was performed as part of a systematic review protocol using MEDLINE®, Embase, Scopus®, Epistemonikos, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Google Scholar for systematic and scoping reviews on digital health technologies (DHTs) and dementia, up to February 21, 2024. Search terms included various forms of dementia and DHTs. Two independent reviewers conducted a two-stage screening process using the Covidence platform, with disagreements resolved by a third reviewer. Eligible reviews were then subjected to a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer® to evaluate document types, authorship, countries, institutions, journal sources, references, and keywords, creating social network maps to visualize emergent research trends.

Results:

A total of 704 references met the inclusion criteria for bibliometric analysis. Most reviews were systematic, with a substantial number covering mobile health, telehealth, and computer-based cognitive interventions. Bibliometric analysis revealed that the "Journal of Medical Internet Research" had the highest number of reviews and citations. Researchers from 66 countries contributed, with the UK and the US as the most prolific. The most productive authors and institutions were identified, highlighting significant collaborative networks via co-occurrence network analysis for the most relevant reviews on DHTs for dementia care. Overall, the number of publications covering the intersection of DHTs and dementia has increased steadily over time, yet the multiplicity of reviews conducted on a single topic has resulted in duplicated scientific efforts.

Conclusions:

This review indicates that there has been an increase in both dementia- and DHTs-related publications over time, with a particular focus on mobile health, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and sensor technologies interventions. Systematic adherence to principles and basic requirements to carry out an evidence-based medicine study should be remembered by researchers worldwide, avoiding duplication of research efforts. High-income countries have led the publishing, research maintenance, and collaborations on the evaluated topic. Overall, this analysis provides an initial point of reference for policymakers and academics for innovative, applied research to benefit people living with dementia, their caregivers, and service provision and resources on a global scale. Clinical Trial: People living with dementia; Digital Health Technologies; Bibliometric Analysis; Evidence-based Medicine.