Effectiveness of laptop-based versus smartphone-based videoconferencing interaction on loneliness, depression and social support in nursing home residents: A secondary data analysis

Abstract

Introduction The worldwide coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic re-emphasises the importance of Internet videoconferencing in supporting interactions between nursing home residents and their family and friends. However, there is a scarcity of comparative studies on how modalities of conferencing programs impact health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare laptop-based with smartphone-based videoconferencing programs on nursing home residents’ perceptions of loneliness, depressive symptoms and social support. Methods This retrospective secondary analysis used data from two previous studies on the effectiveness of videoconferencing programs (laptop-based and smartphone-based) to improve outcomes of loneliness, depressive symptoms and social support (type and source) among nursing home residents. Generalised estimating equations compared differences from baseline measures with measures at 1 and 3 months between the two groups with and without adjusting for the effects of confounding variables. Results With the exception of age, there were no differences in demographics between participants in the laptop and smartphone groups. Neither changes from baseline in mean scores for loneliness nor depressive symptoms differed between groups. However, changes in mean scores from baseline between groups were significantly greater in the smartphone-based group compared with the laptop-based group for three types of social support: informational and appraisal at 1 and 3 months; and emotional at 3 months. Changes from baseline in mean scores for social support from friends (at 1 and 3 months) and other sources (at 3 months) were also significantly greater for the smartphone group compared with the laptop group. Discussion The two modalities of videoconferencing did not differ in effects on depressive symptoms or loneliness. However, smartphones had a greater effect on the type and source of social support compared with laptops. Whether the small screen of a smartphone reduces users’ anxiety and allows them to talk more on screen is worth studying.

Use of Digital Technologies to Maintain Older Adults’ Social Ties During Visitation Restrictions in Long-Term Care Facilities: Scoping Review

“…The impact of technology use on quality of life by facilitating communication with family members or for video consultations was also noted [ 22 ]. Social isolation could be alleviated by connecting with the outside world, gaining social support, boosting self-confidence, and engaging in activities of interest [ 30 ]. Social connections through technology were linked to enhanced well-being, protecting and improving mental health, and maintaining physical health and independence among older adults [ 18 ].…”

“…Technologies were presented as a “key tool” for reducing social isolation [ 23 ] for long-term care facility residents who essentially became prisoners in their 1-bedroom living spaces, with this extreme loneliness potentially inducing anxiety, depression, malnourishment, and worsening dementia [ 32 ]. Technological devices have been presented as “a boon for residents feeling isolated” [ 34 ] regardless of the type: Videoconferencing has shown the same positive effects on depressive symptoms or loneliness regardless of whether a smartphone or a laptop is used [ 30 ]. For example, programs were developed for medical student volunteers to have weekly telephone calls with long-term care facility residents [ 16 , 31 ].…”

“…This aim can be achieved through an increased number of studies based on empirical methods [ 51 ]. Indeed, previous studies on long-term care facility residents’ remote social ties have used standardized scales, such as the Geriatric Depression Scale [ 10 ], combined with loneliness and social support behavior scales [ 11 ] or with loneliness and quality of life scales [ 30 ]. In the corpus studied in our review, some empirical articles evaluating the impact of remote social contact through the lens of health and quality of life issues were conducted before the COVID-19 crisis [ 29 , 30 , 38 ].…”

“…Indeed, previous studies on long-term care facility residents’ remote social ties have used standardized scales, such as the Geriatric Depression Scale [ 10 ], combined with loneliness and social support behavior scales [ 11 ] or with loneliness and quality of life scales [ 30 ]. In the corpus studied in our review, some empirical articles evaluating the impact of remote social contact through the lens of health and quality of life issues were conducted before the COVID-19 crisis [ 29 , 30 , 38 ]. However, the pandemic context itself can be anxiety-provoking [ 52 ] and thus influence evaluations related to residents’ health, solitude, and quality of life.…”

Multi-Sensor Respiratory–Swallow Telecare System for Safe Feeding in Different Trunk Inclinations: System Development and Clinical Application

“…Consequently, if a caregiver is inattentive during feeding or under time constraints and fails to detect their care recipient’s reaction, the choking risks caused by feeding are considerably increased. Especially in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, most institutions restrict visitations and close contact between residents and caregivers [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Therefore, remote monitoring in lieu of in-person monitoring is more important.…”