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Embodied Communication Agents: A Scoping Review of the Impact of Applications to Support Older Adults

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Book cover Information Systems and Technologies (WorldCIST 2022)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems ((LNNS,volume 468))

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Abstract

Embodied Communication Agents are being used to support older adults but there is still a lack of knowledge about their impact. Therefore, this paper presents a scoping review of the literature on user centred evaluation of the impact of Embodied Communication Agents when embedded in digital solutions to support older adults. The ten studies that were included in this scoping review reported on the implementation of digital solutions to promote physical activity, minimize loneliness, provide spiritual comfort, facilitate problem solving and knowledge acquisition, and support the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. In terms of impact assessment, different outcomes were considered, and the included studies reported significant impact in terms of steps walked and acknowledge acquisition, a trend in the reduction of loneliness, and good sensitivity and specificity to diagnose neurodegenerative diseases.

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Acknowledgments

This work was partially supported by National Funds through FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., under the project UI IEETA: UID/CEC/00127/2021.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UNIDCOM, Science and Technology School, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal

    Rute Bastardo

  2. INESC-TEC, Science and Technology School, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal

    João Pavão

  3. IEETA, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal

    Nelson Pacheco Rocha

Authors
  1. Rute Bastardo
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  2. João Pavão
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  3. Nelson Pacheco Rocha
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nelson Pacheco Rocha .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. ISEG, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

    Alvaro Rocha

  2. College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

    Hojjat Adeli

  3. Institute of Data Science and Digital Technologies, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania

    Gintautas Dzemyda

  4. DCT, Universidade Portucalense, Porto, Portugal

    Fernando Moreira

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Bastardo, R., Pavão, J., Rocha, N.P. (2022). Embodied Communication Agents: A Scoping Review of the Impact of Applications to Support Older Adults. In: Rocha, A., Adeli, H., Dzemyda, G., Moreira, F. (eds) Information Systems and Technologies. WorldCIST 2022. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 468. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04826-5_31

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