Cognitive assistive technologies for degenerative diseases and related evaluation methods: A scoping review

Assistive technologies (ATs) are crucial for people with degenerative diseases that affect cognitive functions. To date, no comprehensive review has systematically examined these technologies and their evaluation methods. To outline the current state of research, we conducted a scoping review on cognitive ATs that provide direct assistance. From an initial pool of 107 review articles identified in Web of Science and other sources over the last five years we selected ten for further analysis. To enhance clarity and interpretability, the findings were organized into thematic categories, distinguishing types of assistive technologies as well as evaluation approaches used across studies. The articles included focus primarily on ATs for people with dementia. The majority of systems are wearable, prioritizing biometric and motion data, with a preference for mobile devices over stationary solutions. While many ATs address physiological concerns such as falls, they generally neglect psychiatric symptoms, although social robots help to improve engagement and emotions. Evaluation studies predominantly rely on behavioral assessments instead of self-reported outcomes often with limited sample sizes. It’s important to involve secondary users, such as family and professional caregivers, and to consider the compatibility of ATs with users’ cognitive and physical abilities. Future research should incorporate systematic analyses and case studies to enhance the methodological rigor of evaluation studies, particularly regarding key outcomes, sample sizes, and study designs.