Digital Interventions for Social Participation in Adults with Long-term Physical Conditions: A Systematic Review

AbstractThis review aims to identify and evaluate digital interventions for social participation in the growing population of adults with long-term physical conditions. Articles were sourced from MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO databases using subject headings and keywords related to “social participation” and “digital technology”. Studies that adopted digital technology interventions to improve social participation in adults with long-term physical conditions were included. Data on study methodology, participant and digital intervention characteristics, and findings rel ated to social participation were extracted. The search yielded a total of 4646 articles and 14 articles met criteria for final review with five randomized controlled trials, two non-randomized clinical trials and seven one-group pretest–posttest clinical trials. Studies were organized based on th e digital intervention strategy implemented to improve social participation: group support (n = 4), individual skill training or counseling (n = 6), education and support (n = 3), and mixed intervention (n = 1). The group support interventions developed a social network among participants through videoconference, app, or virtual reality platform. Three studies reported positive improvements in different aspects of social participation. Individual skill training or counseling mainly utilized phone calls to help participants cope with activity participation and interpersonal relationship...
Source: Journal of Medical Systems - Category: Information Technology Source Type: research