Digital technologies and depression in aged: an integrative review on effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability, and barriers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36557/2674-8169.2025v7n11p726-748Keywords:
Aged, depressive disorder, digital health, digital technologyAbstract
Introduction: The advancement of digital technologies has expanded the possibilities of mental health care, particularly in addressing depression among older adults, a group highly vulnerable to barriers in access and digital exclusion. Objective: To critically analyze the evidence on the effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability, and barriers associated with the use of digital technologies applied to depression in older adults. Methodology: This is an integrative literature review conducted in the Virtual Health Library (BVS) databases — including LILACS, BDENF, Index Psychologies, and IBECS — and in PubMed/MEDLINE, covering publications from 2010 to 2025. Seven primary studies with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method designs were included, selected according to eligibility criteria and methodological rigor. Results: The evidence indicated consistent effectiveness of digital interventions — such as telephone-mediated cognitive-behavioral therapy, mHealth programs, mobile applications, and digital literacy training — in reducing depressive symptoms, anxiety, and loneliness, as well as improving cognition, quality of life, and social engagement. Acceptability was high, especially when human support and simplified interfaces were provided. The most frequent barriers involved socioeconomic inequality, low digital literacy, and methodological heterogeneity among studies. Conclusions: Digital technologies are effective and feasible strategies for managing depression in older adults, provided they are integrated into digital inclusion policies and standardized clinical protocols, thus promoting active, autonomous, and socially connected aging.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Eli Gomes da Silva Filho, Willian Gomes da Silva, Paula Jeane da Silva Pinheiro , Ana Paula Vieira Wink , Gleiciane Carvalho Barbosa, Giseli Rizzi da Silva, Lydiane Dantas Lima, Raylane Teixeira Pereira , Lucas Pinheiro Ribeiro de Lacerda, Pedro Aurélio Guzman de Figueiredo , Francielle Alba Moraes
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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