Table 1 Study characteristic summary

Richard et al [35]

Location: Netherlands, Finland, and France

Type:

Assistive/information technology

To investigate whether a coach-supported interactive internet intervention to optimise self-management of cardiovascular risk factors in older individuals can improve cardiovascular risk profiles and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia

People aged ≥ 65 years or over at increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease

n=2724 (f:1297, m:1427)

n=1389, IG

n=1335, CG

Quantitative: Longitudinal, randomised-controlled trial

An interactive internet intervention stimulating coach-supported self-management or a control platform that involves guided goal setting, monitoring, personalised coaching, lifestyle group activities, information on cardiovascular health and risk factors.

Data available for 2398 (88%) participants.

IG compared to CG showed:

- Increased composite score of systolic BP, LDL, BMI, p=0.008

- Decreased systolic BP (mean difference: -1·12 mmHg)

- Decreased BMI (mean difference: –0·15 kg/m²)

- Decreased LDL level (mean difference: -0·05 mmol/L)

Score: 5

Category 2

– Yes

– Yes

– Yes

– Yes

2.5 – Yes

Level 2

Jin et al. [19]

Location: China

Type:

Assistive technology

To examine the independent protective factors of desktop and cell phone ownership, or combined ownership,

against cognitive

decline in mid-life and older adulthood

Age 45 and over (mean 58)

n=13,457 (f:6867, m: 6590)

Desktop: n=2314

Control: n=11143

Cell phone: n=10693

Control: n=2764

Quantitative: Longitudinal cohort study

Ownership of a computer with internet connection, and cell phone.

- Participants with a desktop had less cognitive decline over the four years, p=0.003

- Participants with a cell phone had less cognitive decline, p<0.001

Score: 5

Category 3

3.1 – Yes

3.2 – Yes

3.3 – Yes

3.4 – Yes

3.5 – Yes

Level 2

Vicentin et al. [43]

Location: Brazil

Type:

Information technology

To evaluate the effectiveness of combined digital inclusion and physical activity interventions in the prevention of cognitive and functional loss among elderly residents

Older adults with normal to mild cognitive impairment >60 years

n=112 (f:86, m:21)

n=53, IG

n=54, CG

Quantitative: Comparative controlled study

Computer-based digital inclusion program combined with physical activity

80-minute sessions twice a week for 17 weeks)

- IG showed a significantly higher MoCA mean score after 4 months by 1.23 points, p=0.012 than the CG

- No significant differences after 4 months for MMSE, GDS, Word List, Evocation, Verbal Fluency, and ADL in the IG when compared to CG

Score: 4

Category 3

3.1 – Yes

3.2 – Yes

3.3 – Can’t tell

3.4 – Yes

3.5 – Yes

Level 2

Hsu et al. [17]

Location: Taiwan

Type:

Information technology

To implement and evaluate a cross-disciplinary health education intervention program using two approaches in community-based older adults for the purpose of successful ageing

Older adults aged > 70 years old

n=147 (f:114, m:33)

Intervention group:

n=61 (person-to-person),

n=54 (person-to-digital)

Control group:

n=32

Quantitative: Quasi-experimental, multi-centre design

Lecture-based person-to-person (P2P) and person-and-digital (P&D) education program in community care centres for 12 weeks

9-components: concept and preparation for healthy ageing, PA, nutrition and diet, chronic disease prevention and management, emotional health and coping skills, cognitive function training, family relationship, financial security, and internet use

- P&D group had a significant reduction in nutrition risk, p<0.05

- Cognitive function increased over time for all groups, p <0.01

- Both P2P and P&D groups significantly increased in the selection adaptation strategy, p <0.01

- P2P group had a significant effect on the use of emotion-focused coping, p <0.05

- P&D group significantly increased its ability to search for health information online, p <0.05

Score: 3

Category 3

3.1 – Yes

3.2 – Yes

3.3 – No

3.4 – Yes

3.5 – Can’t tell

Level 2

Hasemann et al. [13]

Location: Germany

Type:

Information/communication technology

To investigate

the effectiveness of a multi-component community-based healthcare approach for functional impairments in the elderly

Age ≥ 70

n=2,670 (f:1752, m:918)

n=873 IG

n=1,797 CG

Quantitative: Quasi-experimental study

Multi-component care approach that involved:

- geriatric screening

- case management

- community-based activities of prevention and health promotion

- digital supporting tools (e.g., tablet, online platform)

- No significant difference in the progression of long-term care grade between groups, p=0.616

- No intervention effects for long-term care grade, mortality, and health-related quality of life

- Statistically significant relative change in morbidity, p=0.006 for the intervention group.

Score: 4

Category 3

3.1 – Yes

3.2 – Yes

3.3 – Yes

3.4 – Yes

3.5 – No

Level 2

Kumar et al [22]

Location: United States

Type:

Information technology

To evaluate the impact of a remotely delivered multidomain lifestyle intervention,

the virtual cognitive health (VC Health) program, on the cognitive function and mental health of older adults with subjective

cognitive decline

Older adults aged 60-74 years old with subjective

cognitive decline scoring ≥1 on the Subjective Cognitive Decline Questionnaire (SCD-9)

n=82 (f:61, m:21)

Quantitative: Prospective, single-arm, intention-to-treat, pre-post, remote nationwide clinical trial

Virtual Cognitive Health

12-month Program components:

individually tailored coaching sessions on nutrition, physical exercise, and cognitive training (including processing speed, executive function, working memory, episodic memory, and mental speed)

Cognitive measures tested:

- Mean increase of 5.8 in RBANS Total Index score from baseline to week 52, p<0.001

- Mean decrease of 3.8 units in PHQ-9 score from baseline to week 52, p<0.001

- Mean decrease of 2.9 units in GAD-7 survey score from baseline to week 52, p<0.001

Score: 3

Category 3

3.1 – Yes

3.2 – Yes

3.3 – No

3.4 – can’t tell

3.5 – Yes

Level 2

Bevilacqua et al. [6]

Location: Italy

Type:

Information technology

To evaluate an innovative eHealth five-part training module focused on enhancing digital learning opportunities, literacy, skill acquisition usage, and fostering a culture of later-life learning.

Older adults aged over 50 years old

n = 58 (f:24, m:34)

Quantitative: Observational cohort study

Five modules over a 4-week training program using the GoToMeeting platform

- eHealth literacy value improved significantly from baseline to follow-up, p=0.001

- significant relationship between eHealth literacy and survey of technology use, p=0.032

- significant relationship between satisfaction with training and eHealth literacy, p=0.000

- 22.8% of the users would pay for the course, p=0.004

Score: 3

Category 4

4.1 – Can’t tell

4.2 – Can’t tell

4.3 – Yes

4.4 – Yes

4.5 – Yes

Level 3

Ienca et al. [18]

Location: Switzerland

Type:

Assistive/communication technology

To explore views, needs and perceptions of community-dwelling older adults regarding the use of digital health technologies for healthy ageing

Cognitively healthy community-dwelling older adults aged > 65 years

n = 19 (f:9, m:10)

Qualitative

Four digital health systems: A toy-shaped conversational robot; a smartphone application for care coordination; two wrist-worn wearable devices

Main themes:

- General value of digital assistive technologies

- Usability evaluations

- Ethical considerations

Score: 5

Category 1

1.1 – Yes

1.2 – Yes

1.3 – Yes

1.4 – Yes

1.5 – Yes

Level 3

Pettersson et al. [33]

Location: Sweden

Type:

Information technology

To explore older people’s experiences of a self-management falls prevention exercise

routine guided either by a digital program (web-based or mobile) or a paper booklet

Community-dwelling participants ≤70 years with self-reported impaired balance

n = 67 (f:19, m:9)

Qualitative

Self-managed exercise program involving 10 self-paced exercises delivered digitally via video or using a paper booklet.

Main themes:

- Participants expressed both a capability and willingness to independently manage their exercise.

- A digital program strengthens the feeling of support while creating their own exercise program and tailoring it to their preferences and circumstances

Subthemes:

- Finding my own level

- Programming it into my life

- Evolving my acquired knowledge

- Defining my source of motivation

Score: 5

Category 1

1.1 – Yes

1.2 – Yes

1.3 – Yes

1.4 – Yes

1.5 – Yes

Level 3

Baldassar et al. [4]

Location: Australia

Type:

Communication technology

To investigate the importance of distant support networks and the role of new communication technologies for the support and well-being of older Australians from migrant and non-migrant backgrounds

Older migrants aged over 55

n= 150 older adults from 10 countries

Qualitative:

ethnographic research

Digital communication

technologies (e.g., phone, video calls, social

media platforms)

Main themes:

- Digital kinning practices support the access of older migrants to:

- Essential sources of social connection and support

- Maintenance of cultural identity

- Protection of social identity, including across distance.

- Effectiveness of digital kinning is reliant on access to affordable and reliable digital communication tools

Score: 5

Category 1

1.1 – Yes

1.2 – Yes

1.3 – Yes

1.4 – Yes

1.5 – Yes

Level 3

Balasubramanian et al. [3]

Location: United Kingdom

Type:

Assistive technology

To explore the user experience of a compact tablet device to support ordinary people’s everyday living and potential impact

on their health and well-being in real-world settings

Older adults aged 50-90

with diagnosed medical conditions

n = 44 patients

n = 7 informal carers

n = 27 focus group

Qualitative

A smart speaker with voice control was installed in participants’ homes. This device includes a screen and speaker with voice control that relays personal digital assistance with various built-in skills that

have a wide range of applications.

Main themes:

- Self-management and autonomy

- Impact on the lifestyle habits

- Impact on the mental and social well-being

Score: 5

Category 1

1.1 – Yes

1.2 – Yes

1.3 – Yes

1.4 – Yes

1.5 – Yes

Level 3

Mair et al. [27]

Location: Singapore

Type:

Assistive technology

To describe the development, feasibility, effectiveness, and acceptability of a personalised smartphone-delivered just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) to support older adults to increase or maintain their PA level in a free-living setting

Older adults aged 56-72 years

n = 46 (f:17, m:14)

Mixed Methods

A wearable activity tracker (Fitbit)

and a companion smartphone app (JitaBug) that delivered goal setting, planning, reminders, and just-in-time adaptive intervention messages to encourage

achievement of personalized PA goals.

- 67% completed the intervention.

- On average, participants recorded 50% of the voice memos, 38% of the mood assessments, and 50% of the well-being assessments through the app

- Acceptability of the intervention was very good (77% satisfaction)

- Participants suggested a need for more diverse and tailored PA messages, app use reminders, technical refinements, and an improved user interface

Score: 5

Category 5

5.1 – Yes

5.2 – Yes

5.3 – Yes

5.4 – Yes

5.5 – Yes

Level 3

Sungur et al. [42]

Location: Netherlands

Type:

Communication technology

To evaluate a web-based oncological module that integrates with a Health Communicator app to stimulate healthcare participation and improve satisfaction among older Turkish-Dutch and Moroccan-Dutch patients with Cancer.

27 Turkish-Dutch and Moroccan-Dutch older patients with

cancer aged 50 years and older and cancer survivors

n=27 (f:18, m:9)

n=15 Turkish

n=12 Moroccan

n=12 Health

care professionals (GPs and oncology nurses

Mixed Methods

Individual survey of question prompt lists (QPL) before and after health professional consultation

Patients watched videos via smartphones

Phone interviews after the video watch

- A strong correlation between the ease of using the QPL and patient age, harder for older patients to use QPLs, p=0.01

- Younger age reported more convenience in using QPL before consultation, p=0.003

- Health professionals rated QPL as useful and easy to use

- Patients most asked questions were treatment-related information

- Overall, patients reported being highly satisfied with their consultations

- Overall, patients found the tool useful in improving their communication with the healthcare professionals

Score: 4

Category 5

5.1 – Yes

5.2 – Yes

5.3 – Yes

5.4 – Yes

5.5 - No

Level 3