JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

As dementia advances, symptoms and associated concerns lead to significant distress for both the patients and their caregivers. Telemedicine has the capacity to alleviate care-related issues for dementia patients and their familial caregivers.

Objective:

As dementia advances, symptoms and associated concerns lead to significant distress for both the patients and their caregivers. Telemedicine has the capacity to alleviate care-related issues for dementia patients and their familial caregivers.

Methods:

In accordance with the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across six databases, including Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and ProQuest. The eligibility criteria for peer-reviewed English publications up to March 2024 encompassed research studies pertaining to telehealth services for individuals diagnosed with dementia and caregivers.

Results:

This study included 53 articles, comprising 14,206 participants from 10 countries. Four major themes emerged from the articles design of telehealth services, effectiveness of Telehealth, outer environmental setting, and barriers in telehealth implementation. The cognitive training component was covered by one third of the participants (n = 28). Within the domain of work and leisure, 24 solutions were identified. Most reviewed studies indicated favorable experiences with telehealth services and highlighted perceived personal and social benefits among dementia patients, as well as identified barriers to accessing and utilizing such services.

Conclusions:

Future studies should encompass the enhancement of digital accessibility for individuals with restricted resources and limited technological proficiency, the utilization of randomized controlled trial methodologies to ascertain the comparative efficacy of various service delivery modes, and the augmentation of sample diversity.