Mobile Health Interventions to Support Patients With Dementia During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

During the COVID-19 pandemic, mobile health (mHealth) utilization increased, especially among specific groups such as patients with dementia (PwD). This systematic review aimed to assess mHealth interventions among PwD during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This systematic review followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for English-language studies published between January 2019 and November 2025. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies reporting mHealth interventions for PwD during the COVID-19 pandemic were eligible. Study selection and data extraction were independently conducted by three reviewers. A thematic synthesis based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework was conducted using ATLAS.ti version 8.

Of the 16,691 records identified, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria, including 7 quantitative, 3 qualitative, and 3 mixed-methods studies conducted across 12 countries. The synthesis identified 36 drivers and 21 barriers influencing the adoption of mHealth interventions among PwD. Key drivers included perceived usefulness, ease of use, enhanced caregiver support, improved communication with healthcare professionals, and improved access to care. Major barriers comprised technical limitations, inadequate digital infrastructure, language and accessibility challenges, and limited digital literacy among caregivers.

mHealth interventions represent feasible tools for supporting PwD during public health emergencies by enabling remote monitoring, caregiver support, and continuity of care. In practice, healthcare providers should prioritize user-friendly mHealth solutions tailored to caregivers' digital literacy and dementia severity. At the policy level, investments in digital infrastructure, technical support, and caregiver training programs are essential to reduce adoption barriers and ensure equitable implementation of mHealth interventions.