Influencing health behaviour using smart building interventions for people with dementia and mild cognitive impairment: expert interviews and a systematic literature review

Abstract

Purpose

Behaviour can have an influence on (coping with) chronic conditions such as dementia. Assistive technology can stimulate the daily behaviour of people with dementia, but the mechanisms through which this happens are unclear. Therefore, this paper focuses on potential behaviour change mechanisms, that can be employed in smart building interventions for people with dementia or MCI.

Methods

This research uses expert interviews with medical experts (n = 9) and a systematic literature review of smart building interventions stimulating health behaviour (n = 12).

Results

Results show how facilitation, incentive motivation (i.e., feedback), observational learning and self-efficacy are most promising according to medical experts; if they are appropriately personalised towards needs, preferences as well as abilities. The literature review shows how most of the examined research uses facilitation and incentive motivation to stimulate behaviour. Although positive results are reported in all studies, methodological quality could be improved.

Conclusion

For the design of smart building interventions for people with MCI or dementia, facilitation and incentive motivation seem to be promising behaviour change mechanisms. Outcome expectation, observational learning and self-efficacy could reinforcing the aforementioned mechanisms. Future research should focus on how different (environmental, digital) cues can be personalized and can adapt over time, as dementia progresses.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Assistive technology for people with dementia can have an effect on (health) behaviour, which may in turn influence coping strategies or quality of life.

• Behaviour change mechanisms can inform the design of assistive technology such as smart building interventions.

• Facilitation, Incentive Motivation, Observational Learning and Self-efficacy seem promising behaviour change mechanisms for people with dementia or MCI.

• In any intervention for people with dementia, personalized and adaptable cues are of vital importance.

Keywords:

• Smart building intervention
• dementia
• behaviour change mechanisms
• social cognitive theory
• systematic literature review
• expert interviews

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).