Methodological Challenges in Randomized Controlled Trials of mHealth Interventions: Cross-Sectional Survey Study and Consensus-Based Recommendations.

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) refers to using mobile communication devices such as smartphones to support health, health care, and public health. mHealth interventions have their own nature and characteristics that distinguish them from traditional health care interventions, including drug interventions. Thus, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of mHealth interventions present specific methodological challenges.

The Experience of Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment Across Common Cancers: Protocol for a Qualitative Systematic Review.

Background: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is commonly experienced by patients with cancer during treatment, and 35% of patients experience cognitive impairment after treatment completion. Impairments in memory, attention, executive functioning, and information processing speed are most reported and often negatively impact daily functioning and quality of life (QoL). Despite the large scale of reports, this adverse side effect is underinvestigated across common cancer types, and there is a lack of insight into the CRCI experience.

Patients' Experiences of Digital Health Interventions for the Self-Management of Chronic Pain: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis.

Background: Chronic pain is a highly prevalent condition that requires multidisciplinary treatment. However, in the United Kingdom, access to specialist pain clinics where patients can receive medical multidisciplinary treatment is limited, and provision varies between health boards. As such, self-management of chronic pain using digital tools has been gaining traction recently, but evidence of its effectiveness from clinical-based trials focuses mainly on quantitative outcomes.

Professional-Facing Digital Health Solutions for the Care of Patients With Chronic Pain: Protocol for a Systematic Scoping Review.

Background: Chronic pain is a highly prevalent condition and one of the most common reasons why people seek health care. As a result, chronic pain has a significant personal and economic burden. The COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated the situation for patients with chronic pain through increased risk factors (eg, anxiety or depression) as well as decreased access to health care.

Cognitive stimulation to improve cognitive functioning in people with dementia.

Background: Cognitive stimulation (CS) is an intervention for people with dementia offering a range of enjoyable activities providing general stimulation for thinking, concentration and memory, usually in a social setting, such as a small group. CS is distinguished from other approaches such as cognitive training and cognitive rehabilitation by its broad focus and social elements, aiming to improve domains such as quality of life (QoL) and mood as well as cognitive function. Recommended in various guidelines and widely implemented internationally, questions remain regarding different modes of delivery and the clinical significance of any benefits.

Digital Technologies to Prevent Social Isolation and Loneliness in Dementia: A Systematic Review.

Background: Dementia poses significant and sustained challenges to global society. Diagnosis can lead to increased feelings of loneliness and social isolation. People with dementia living alone are particularly at risk.

A systematic literature review and meta-analysis on digital health interventions for people living with dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Objectives: Digital health interventions enable services to support people living with dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) remotely. This literature review gathers evidence on the effectiveness of digital health interventions on physical, cognitive, behavioural and psychological outcomes, and Activities of Daily Living in people living with dementia and MCI.

Methods/design: Searches, using nine databases, were run in November 2021.

An Individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy App for People with Dementia and Carers: Results from a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT).

Background: There is a lack of digital resources that support the cognition and quality of life (QoL) of people with dementia. The individual cognitive stimulation therapy application (iCST app) aims to provide cognitive stimulation and social interaction to people with dementia and carers through interactive touch-screen technology. This study set out to determine the feasibility of conducting a full-scale, randomized controlled trial (RCT) with the iCST app.

Exploring the feasibility of an individual cognitive stimulation therapy application and related technology for use by people with dementia and carers in Indonesia: A mixed-method study.

Background: Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) is a psychosocial intervention for people with dementia and can benefit cognition and quality of life. A touch-screen individualised CST (iCST) application has been developed to improve on accessibility and provide increased interactivity. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of people with dementia, carers and healthcare professionals in Indonesia towards the iCST application and related technology.

An Individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy App for People With Dementia and Their Carers: Protocol for a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: There is a need for more resources to support the cognition and quality of life of people with dementia. The individual cognitive stimulation therapy (iCST) app aims to provide cognitive stimulation and social interaction to people with dementia and carers through interactive touchscreen technology. The iCST app has been developed according to the principles of CST and iCST, which have previously shown to improve the cognition and quality of life of people with dementia and benefit the relationship between the person with dementia and his/her carer.

Involvement of People With Dementia in the Development of Technology-Based Interventions: Narrative Synthesis Review and Best Practice Guidelines.

Background: Technology can be helpful in supporting people with dementia in their daily lives. However, people with dementia are often not fully involved in the development process of new technology. This lack of involvement of people with dementia in developing technology-based interventions can lead to the implementation of faulty and less suitable technology.

An Individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy App for People With Dementia: Development and Usability Study of Thinkability.

Background: There is a lack of technological resources for the mental stimulation and communication of people with dementia, which can be helpful in improving cognition and quality of life. Paper-based individual cognitive stimulation therapy (iCST) for people with dementia has the potential to be adapted to a touchscreen format. This can improve accessibility and provide mental stimulation using interactive features.

Participatory visual arts activities for people with dementia: a review.

Aims: To report and summarise the effects of interventions using participatory visual arts activities in dementia research through a narrative synthesis systematic review.

Methods: We searched four databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Applied Social Sciences Index & Abstracts (ASSIA). Of the 3263 records retrieved, 20 were included in this review.

Field-testing an iCST touch-screen application with people with dementia and carers: a mixed method study.

Objectives: To test the individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (iCST) application with people with dementia and carers in order to modify and refine the application, and improve its usability. In an iterative development process, two different prototypes were used to elicit the subjects' views and preferences. This application may address the current need for more innovative approaches to support people with dementia and their carers.

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for Dementia.

Cognitive stimulation therapy has proven to be both an effective and enjoyable psychological treatment for people with dementia. Over the past 20 years, cognitive stimulation therapy has grown from a national, localized treatment in the UK to a more global phenomenon currently being used in more than 25 countries around the world. Much has been accomplished during the cognitive stimulation therapy journey and there is still much to be explored; it is a dynamic field.