DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.26894103
title: Voice assistants’ influence on loneliness in older adults: a systematic review

description: <b>Purpose:</b> This review aims to examine how the use of voice assistants influences loneliness in older adults. <b>Materials and methods:</b> This study follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Databases such as CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciELO, Google Scholar, and IEEE Xplore were used. We implemented search strategies in English to locate studies published between January 2010 and January 2023, including those examining the impact of voice assistant usage on loneliness in older adults. Descriptive information was examined, assessing its quality with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. <b>Results:</b> A total of 499 studies were yielded from the initial search, with 13 included in the final analysis. Positive outcomes in reducing loneliness were reported in 84.6% of these studies. There was a prevalence of quasi-experimental studies, alongside heterogeneous measurement instruments, scarce use of standardized tests, and small samples predominantly consisting of women. Commercial voice assistants were the most commonly utilized. <b>Conclusions:</b> Voice assistants show potential in mitigating feelings of loneliness in older adults. Adequate training and adaptation to specific needs seem essential to maximize their effectiveness. In particular, voice assistants available in the consumer market hold significant potential in this area. Further research is necessary to comprehend their impact, encompassing potential risks and ethical considerations. Effectively integrating voice assistants into day-to-day lives of older people can have a positive role on their psychological well-being and significantly contribute to improving their mental health by mitigating feelings of loneliness.Interventions incorporating voice assistants should focus on adapting to the specific needs of each individual. Adequate training and understanding needs are essential elements to maximize the effectiveness of these interventions.Given that most of the reviewed studies present small samples with a predominance of female participants, future initiatives should ensure that these interventions are equitable and beneficial for all demographic groups.Further research should focus on understanding and improving the accessibility of commercial voice assistants targeted at the general population. This involves ensuring that these technologies are easily adoptable by older adults through specific training and outreach strategies, which is especially important in the context of rehabilitation. Effectively integrating voice assistants into day-to-day lives of older people can have a positive role on their psychological well-being and significantly contribute to improving their mental health by mitigating feelings of loneliness. Interventions incorporating voice assistants should focus on adapting to the specific needs of each individual. Adequate training and understanding needs are essential elements to maximize the effectiveness of these interventions. Given that most of the reviewed studies present small samples with a predominance of female participants, future initiatives should ensure that these interventions are equitable and beneficial for all demographic groups. Further research should focus on understanding and improving the accessibility of commercial voice assistants targeted at the general population. This involves ensuring that these technologies are easily adoptable by older adults through specific training and outreach strategies, which is especially important in the context of rehabilitation.