Digital Technology-Based Dyadic Interventions in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia and Their Caregivers: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Cognitive impairment, particularly when progressing to dementia, exerts considerable psychological distress on both patients and their caregivers. Dyadic interventions regard patients and caregivers as a single unit, emphasizing their interdependence in disease management and highlighting its critical relevance to health outcomes. In recent years, digital technology has been increasingly incorporated into dyadic interventions to support individuals with cognitive impairment and their caregivers. While relevant scoping reviews have been conducted in the cancer field, systematic syntheses of digital dyadic interventions for geriatric cognitive impairment remain limited. Aim: This study conducts a scoping review to evaluate the use of digital dyadic interventions for individuals with mild cognitive impairment or dementia and their caregivers. It summarizes key implementation features across intervention types and technologies and identifies major barriers and optimization strategies for wider adoption in home and community care. Methods: Publications involving digital technology–based dyadic interventions targeting individuals with cognitive impairment and their caregivers were included in the review. Searches were conducted across five databases: PubMed, Embase, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore. Search terms included digital-related keywords such as "online," "remote," "digital," and "virtual," combined with terms including "dyadic interventions," "dyadic coping," "cognitive impairment," and "cognitive disorders." A narrative synthesis approach was employed to analyze the retrieved literature, focusing on participant characteristics, intervention methods, implementation contexts, and reported outcomes. These elements were subsequently synthesized. Results: A total of 38 studies from various countries were included, involving individuals with mild cognitive impairment or dementia and their caregivers. Interventions were classified into four categories: mobile applications, immersive sensory systems, remote platforms, and intelligent interactive agents. Most studies reported improvements in patients' cognition, emotional well-being, and quality of life, alongside reduced caregiver burden and enhanced relationship quality. Barriers included limited technology access, uneven digital literacy, and privacy and security concerns. Conclusion: Dyadic digital interventions can enhance the quality of life and relationship interactions for both patients and caregivers. Their effectiveness relies on collaborative participation but is constrained by technological accessibility and usage capabilities. Future efforts should optimize design and implementation to promote their sustainable application in care settings.