Technology enhancing independent living at home among adults with acquired brain injury (ABI): A scoping review

Background Acquired brain injury (ABI) causes long-term impairments that restrict independent living and community participation. As health systems emphasize ageing in place and self-management and technology continues to advance, assistive technology (AT) offers increasing potential to support independent living. However, an overview of the value and experiences of recent technologies designed for adults with ABI in their home environment in relation to support participation at home is lacking. Objective This study aimed to map existing evidence in scientific literature on assistive technologies that support independent living among adults with ABI, including factors that affect implementation and the potential of the reported technologies. Methods A scoping review was conducted, searching Cinahl, Cinahl Plus, PubMed, and ACM. Inclusion and exclusion criteria ensured the focus remained on AT for adults with ABI living at home. English-language papers published between 2014 and 2024 were included. Results Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Several evaluated basic assistive devices such as toilet grab bars and mobility aids. Few recent innovations – such as smart home monitoring systems or wearable health trackers – were specifically developed for individuals with ABI living at home. Outcomes suggest these technologies have the potential to increase safety and autonomy of people in their living environment. However, most studies involved small sample sizes, lacked control groups, and did not include follow-up analyses to assess long-term effects. Conclusion Although innovative technologies are increasingly available, their implementation into practice for people with ABI living at home remains limited. Few studies met inclusion criteria, and few recent innovative technologies were reported. There is a need to explore both ABI-specific technologies and those developed for other populations that may be adapted for this group. Future studies could evaluate technologies in real-world home contexts, considering user experience, environmental factors, and participation outcomes.