BACKGROUND: The remote delivery of dementia-related support services by information communication technology, defined as any hardware or software, including the telephone and videoconferencing software, increased during the coronavirus pandemic. To guide the future use of information communication technology, this study explored the experiences of delivering and accessing social care and support services during the pandemic in the UK.
METHODS: Remote semi-structured interviews with social care and support providers, people with dementia and family carers were conducted between May-December 2022. Topic guides were co-developed with two public advisors (one former family carer, one person with dementia) and garnered information on delivering and accessing services during the pandemic. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim. Employing a mixture of inductive and deductive analytic approaches, a thematic analysis was conducted.
RESULTS: Twenty-one interviews (n = 14 social care and support providers; n = 6 family carers; n = 2 people with dementia) were conducted. Three themes were generated: adapting to changing circumstances; responding to unmet needs by information communication technology and information communication technology should be a tool, not the default. Social care and support providers\' creativity and motivation facilitated the adoption of information communication technology, however, available resources and guidance varied. While some people with dementia and family carers benefitted from accessing services by information communication technology to address some needs, the format was not suitable for everyone.
CONCLUSIONS: Beyond the coronavirus pandemic, the use of information communication technology within service delivery needs to be carefully considered, to avoid disenfranchising some people with dementia and family carers, while empowering people with the option of how to access services. Digital training and guidelines advising the use of information communication technology within service delivery may facilitate its improved use during the current landscape, and amidst future pandemics.

BACKGROUND: The impact of social frailty on older adults is profound including mortality risk, functional decline, falls, and disability. However, effective strategies that respond to the needs of socially frail older adults are lacking and few studies have unpacked how social determinants operate or how interventions can be adapted during periods requiring social distancing and isolation such as the COVID-19 pandemic. To address these gaps, we conducted a scoping review using JBI methodology to identify interventions that have the best potential to help socially frail older adults (age ≥65 years).
METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL (EPSCO), EMBASE and COVID-19 databases and the grey literature. Eligibility criteria were developed using the PICOS framework. Our results were summarized descriptively according to study, patient, intervention and outcome characteristics. Data synthesis involved charting and categorizing identified interventions using a social frailty framework.  RESULTS: Of 263 included studies, we identified 495 interventions involving ~124,498 older adults who were mostly female. The largest proportion of older adults (40.5%) had a mean age range of 70-79 years. The 495 interventions were spread across four social frailty domains: social resource (40%), self-management (32%), social behavioural activity (28%), and general resource (0.4%). Of these, 189 interventions were effective for improving loneliness, social and health and wellbeing outcomes across psychological self-management, self-management education, leisure activity, physical activity, Information Communication Technology and socially assistive robot interventions. Sixty-three interventions were identified as feasible to be adapted during infectious disease outbreaks (e.g., COVID-19, flu) to help socially frail older adults.
CONCLUSIONS: Our scoping review identified promising interventions with the best potential to help older adults living with social frailty.

This article reports the results of a 33-wave longitudinal study of changes in, and reciprocal relations between, workplace digitalization and workload. Monthly data were collected between April 2020 and December 2022 from n = 1661 employees in Germany. Based on theoretical models of workplace information and communication technology use, stress, and coping, we hypothesized both positive and negative within-person effects of digitalization on workload, and vice versa. Results of an autoregressive latent trajectory model with structured residuals (ALT-SR) showed on-average positive linear trajectories in digitalization, but not in workload over time. Moreover, higher digitalization was associated with subsequently higher levels of workload, and vice versa. This pattern of results suggests a dynamic, reciprocal process wherein positive deviations from one\'s average trajectory of digitalization (workload) are associated with subsequently higher levels of workload (digitalization). We additionally find evidence for linear trends in these within-person processes, suggesting that the strength of the within-person effects of digitalization on workload, and of workload on digitalization, becomes more strongly positive over time. Practitioners developing work design interventions could focus on ways to reduce the detrimental impact of digitalization on increased workload, while simultaneously encouraging the potential of digitalization to help employees cope effectively with their workload.

UNASSIGNED: There is growing interest in the use of digital information and communication technology (ICT) for mental health care purposes. Information and communication technology tools may enhance mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviour.
UNASSIGNED: To describe the access to, use and perception of ICT in people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
UNASSIGNED: The study was conducted at an urban psychiatric hospital in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, South Africa.
UNASSIGNED: Participants completed questionnaires on their socio-demographic characteristics and access to, use and perception of ICT. Multiple ordinal logistic regressions were used to test the association between socio-demographic factors and ICT use and perception.
UNASSIGNED: Of the 165 participants (mean age = 41 years ± 14.2), 54.5% were male, 37.6% were employed, and most (93.3%) lived in an urban area. Most participants (93%) had access to the internet in past 3 months and a smartphone (89.8%). Age (AOR 0.94, p = 0.06, CI = 0.88-1.00) and marital status (AOR = 0.26, p 0.02, CI = 1.62-253.74) were associated with internet use, while age (AOR = 0.95, p 0.03, CI = 0.9-1.00), marital status (AOR = 3.64, p = 0.05, CI = 1.03-12.90), income (AOR = 4.02, p < 0.01, CI = 1.69-9.54), employment status (AOR = 0.16, p < 0.01, CI = 0.06-0.44), and living with HIV (AOR = 5.41, p < 0.01, CI = 1.39-21.07) were associated with frequency of internet use. Older participants had lower odds of using a mental health care app (AOR = 0.93, p = 0.02, CI= 0.88-0.99). Those with higher incomes had increased odds of seeking mental health information digitally (AOR = 4.33, p = 0.03, CI = 1.13-7.54).
UNASSIGNED: People living with psychosis do have access to digital technology although pattern of use maybe influenced by sociodemographic factors.
UNASSIGNED: This study provides baseline data on digital technology use in Africa.

Considering the undeniable role and importance of the environment in people\'s lives, the present study is designed to investigate the combined effect of information and communication technology (ICT) and foreign direct investment (FDI) on achieving environmental sustainability. Since the increasing emission of carbon in society and its destructive environmental effects on social economic aspects and even political tensions have become a challenge, the main question of the research is what strategies have governments, especially oil exporting countries, used in the past to reduce the level they have discovered pollution and what policies do they want to follow in the future? Among the policies undertaken by the OPEC oil exporting countries, has the action for foreign direct investment (FDI) and the development of information and communication technology (ICT) been effective in preventing harmful environmental effects? For this purpose, data on renewable energy consumption, the intensity of use of information and communication technology, foreign direct investment (FDI), and urbanization have been used as explanatory variables, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission as a dependent variable. The target countries selected are oil exporting countries (OPEC) for the period 2000 to 2020, and the analysis method used is panel VAR. The results showed that creating a shock in FDI, labor force, urban population, and renewable energy consumption decreases CO2 while creating a shock in Gross capital formation increases CO2. The impact of shock of ICT on CO2 is also insignificant and can be ignored. The results of variance analysis also showed that urban population, labor force, and FDI variables have the largest contribution in explaining the behavior of CO2; therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to FDI and try to increase the attraction of foreign direct investment to reduce CO2 in OPEC countries. JEL: C23, F43, F64.

The rapid increase in quantities and the mismanagement of municipal solid waste (MSW) in developing countries are increasing the environmental impacts such as air, water and soil contamination. The present scenario of MSW management deals with numerous issues such as lack of technological resources, strategical management, social awareness, public participation, etc. Globally, numerous efforts in the form of new policies, schemes and regulatory acts have been made to develop a systematic collection and transportation (C&T) method using advanced, integrated technologies. However, very few studies have addressed this issue for low- and middle-income countries due to the lack of availability of reliable resources and data sets. This paper addresses the present challenges in C&T methods and highlights the application of information communication technology in monitoring, capturing, data management, planning, live tracking and communication. This systematic mini-review is based on the availability of technical resources, consumer acceptance and cost-effectiveness of different technologies in managing the processes. The study revealed that the C&T methods in most developed countries are designed based on their geographical stretch, climatic factors, waste characteristics and compatible technology, resulting in sustainable MSW management. However, developing countries have followed the same monotonous approach in managing their MSW, which fails in C&T process. The case study provides a valuable resource for researchers and policymakers to frame a better C&T process based on the recent technological interventions, infrastructure development, and social and economic status.

BACKGROUND: The rationale for the present study is a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as there are fewer opportunities available for older adults to engage in face-to-face interaction and social activities, which may result in changes in the communication methods with their social contacts. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between methods of social connectedness and emotional well-being outcomes among older adults at the start of the pandemic.
METHODS: Two thousand five hundred and fifty-eight older adults Medicare beneficiaries (65 + years of age) in the National Health and Aging Trends Study at wave 10 (June 2020 to January 2021) were selected for cross-sectional analysis. Participants were measured on brief questionnaires regarding forms of communication with family and friends before and during the pandemic. Emotional well-being outcomes were measured on single items of sadness/depressed and loneliness; as well as a 6-item Likert scale of anxiety during the pandemic. Paired sample t-tests were utilized to examine the forms of communication between before and during pandemic. Hierarchical regressions were conducted to assess the relationship between forms of communication and emotional well-being outcomes.
RESULTS: We found that there were overall decreases in communication frequency during pandemic. Findings from regression analyses indicated information communication technology (ICT) are associated with negative emotional well-being outcomes, whereas in-person social contact are associated with lower levels of negative affect.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest utilizing higher levels of ICT has negative implications for older adults\' emotional well-being, contrasting with the positive implication of in-person contacts. These findings highlight the role of ICT in emotional well-being among older adults during pandemic.

BACKGROUND: A large number of information and communication technology (ICT) based interventions exist for suicide prevention. However, not much is known about which of these ICTs are implemented in clinical settings and their implementation characteristics. In response, this scoping review aimed to systematically explore the breadth of evidence on ICT-based interventions for suicide prevention implemented in clinical settings and then to identify and characterize implementation barriers and facilitators, as well as evaluation outcomes, and measures.
METHODS: We conducted this review following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. A search strategy was applied to the following six databases between August 17-20, 2021: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts. We also supplemented our search with Google searches and hand-searching reference lists of relevant reviews. To be included in this review, studies must include ICT-based interventions for any spectrum of suicide-related thoughts and behaviours including non-suicidal self-injury. Additionally, these ICTs must be implemented in clinical settings, such as emergency department and in-patient units. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist to prepare this full report.
RESULTS: This review included a total of 75 citations, describing 70 studies and 66 ICT-based interventions for suicide prevention implemented in clinical settings. The majority of ICTs were computerized interventions and/or applications (n = 55). These ICTs were commonly used as indicated strategies (n = 49) targeting patients who were actively presenting with suicide risk. The three most common suicide prevention intervention categories identified were post-discharge follow-up (n = 27), screening and/or assessment (n = 22), and safety planning (n = 20). A paucity of reported information was identified related to implementation strategies, barriers and facilitators. The most reported implementation strategies included training, education, and collaborative initiatives. Barriers and facilitators of implementation included the need for resource supports, knowledge, skills, motivation as well as engagement with clinicians with research teams. Studies included outcomes at patient, clinician, and health system levels, and implementation outcomes included acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and penetration.
CONCLUSIONS: This review presents several trends of the ICT-based interventions for suicide prevention implemented in clinical settings and identifies a need for future research to strengthen the evidence base for improving implementation. More effort is required to better understand and support the implementation and sustainability of ICTs in clinical settings. The findings can also serve as a future resource for researchers seeking to evaluate the impact and implementation of ICTs.

Educational speaking technology is a digital expertise used to enhance speaking performance. This research examined the effects of using educational speaking technology tools: FORVO, YouGlish, and OALD 8th ed. to enhance students\' speaking performance. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest two groups design was used. Test, questionnaire, interview, and teacher-log were used to gather the data from 82 first-year Information communication and Technology (IT) students selected through comprehensive sampling. The experimental group students had learned speaking skills through educational speaking technology tools while the control group students learned using the conventional method. When the quantitative data were analyzed through independent samples T-test, the qualitative data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings of the study uncovered that there was a statistical difference between the experimental and control group students in their speaking performance. Accordingly, the learners who had learned through educational speaking technology have enhanced their speaking performance compared to the students that learned conventionally. Predominantly, students who learned through educational speaking technology were fluent, coherent, and accurate in their speech, rich in lexical resources, used a variety of grammatical ranges, and better in pronunciation. Besides, the students\' have positive perceptions towards using educational speaking technology tools. Consequently, this study recommends researchers, teachers, and students to make the use of educational technology and to go in line with the state of the art.

BACKGROUND: Informal care for people with dementia not only affects the well-being of the primary caregiver but also changes their roles and interactions with the social environment. New online interventions might facilitate access to social support. Recently, an online social support platform, Inlife, was developed in the Netherlands and aims to enhance social support and positive interactions in informal support networks.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Inlife for caregivers of people with dementia.
METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with 96 caregivers of people with dementia was performed. Participants were randomly assigned to the Inlife intervention or the waiting list control group. After 16 weeks of Inlife use, the waiting list control group could start using Inlife. Effects were evaluated at baseline (T0), 8 weeks (T1), and 16 weeks (T2). The 16-week follow-up assessment (T2) served as the primary endpoint to evaluate the results for the primary and secondary outcome variables evaluated with online self-report questionnaires. The primary outcomes included feelings of caregiver competence and perceived social support. The secondary outcomes included received support, feelings of loneliness, psychological complaints (eg, anxiety, stress), and quality of life.
RESULTS: No significant improvements were demonstrated for the intervention group (n=48) relative to the control group (n=48) for the primary outcomes (feeling of carer competence: b=-0.057, 95% CI -0.715 to 0.602, P=.87; perceived social support: b=-15.877, 95% CI -78.284 to 46.530, P=.62) or any secondary outcome. This contrasts with our qualitative findings showing the potential of Inlife to facilitate the care process in daily life. Adherence was not optimal for all Inlife users. Additional per-protocol and sensitivity analyses also revealed no beneficial results for high active Inlife users or specific subgroups. Inlife users were more active when part of a larger network.
CONCLUSIONS: Researchers should be modest regarding the effectiveness of online caregiver interventions in terms of quantitative measures of well-being and quality of life. Nevertheless, online tools have the potential to facilitate the caregiver process in daily life. Lessons learned include the importance of harnessing the power of human interaction in eHealth, making use of the user\'s social capital, and the need to develop research methods that can identify benefits in daily life that are ecologically valid for caregivers.
BACKGROUND: Netherlands Trial Register NTR6131; https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NTR6131.
UNASSIGNED: RR2-10.1186/s13063-017-2097-y.