Using AI-Based Technologies to Help Nurses Detect Behavioral Disorders: Narrative Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Nursing Informatics
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
• Dementia Care Research

Background:

• Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are prevalent and impactful in dementia care.
• Artificial intelligence-based technologies (AITs) offer potential for early BPSD detection by nurses.
• Limited information exists on AIT applications for early BPSD detection in nursing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and characterize existing literature on AITs supporting nursing interventions for early BPSD detection and management.
• To identify the scope and nature of research introducing AITs in dementia care.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed database was conducted in September 2023.
• Publications focused on artificial intelligence-based technologies (AITs) and dementia were analyzed.
• A narrative approach was used to report the findings of the literature review.

Main Results:

• Twenty-five publications from 14 countries were identified, predominantly prospective observational studies.
• Three categories of AIT applications emerged: predicting dementia progression, screening clinical symptoms, and managing dementia and BPSD.
• The majority of identified publications focused on managing existing dementia and BPSD.

Conclusions:

• Current AITs primarily support psychosocial care for existing BPSD, rather than early detection.
• AITs are under-tested and under-utilized for the early and real-time detection of BPSD.
• AITs hold potential to equip nurses with reliable systems for assessment, monitoring, and therapeutic intervention planning.