Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing healthcare by providing crucial support to informal caregivers, who are essential yet often overlooked in the healthcare system. With an aging population and increasing reliance on these caregivers, innovative solutions are needed. This study explores how AI tools are not only enhancing caregiving efficiency but also improving the well-being of caregivers. The research employed a comprehensive approach, involving multiple databases and stringent inclusion criteria, to provide a thorough understanding of AI’s potential in this domain.
Researchers conducted an extensive search across Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and Web of Science, focusing on AI applications that aid informal caregivers. They adhered to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, ensuring a rigorous selection process. From an initial pool of 947 articles, only 10 met the criteria, emphasizing AI’s role in supporting caregivers rather than just data collection.
Global Distribution and Methods
The selected studies, conducted between 2012 and 2023, were globally distributed, highlighting a widespread interest in this research area. Notably, 80% of these studies utilized machine learning techniques. Validation methods varied, with Hold-Out being the most common, demonstrating the diverse approaches in the field. Accuracy metrics across these studies ranged from 71.60% to 99.33%, indicating the reliability and effectiveness of AI tools in caregiving contexts.
Specific advanced methods like SCUT combined with neural networks (NNs) and LibSVM showcased impressive accuracy rates between 93.42% and 95.36%. The F-measures also spanned from 93.30% to 95.41%, further emphasizing the high performance of these methods. However, AUC values varied significantly, ranging from 0.50 to 0.85 in certain models, suggesting room for improvement in some areas.
Implications for Informal Caregivers
The findings underscore AI’s significant role in aiding informal caregivers, offering smart and adaptive support systems. These tools not only enhance caregiving effectiveness but also contribute to the caregivers’ well-being by reducing their burden. The research highlights the potential of AI to address the challenges faced by informal caregivers, which is crucial given the growing aging population.
Previously, studies have also shown AI’s potential in healthcare, but they often focused on patient outcomes rather than caregiver support. This study shifts the focus to the caregivers, providing a new perspective on AI’s applications. Compared to earlier research, this study offers a more comprehensive view by including a wide range of AI methodologies and validation techniques, making it a significant contribution to the field.
AI’s integration into caregiving is not without challenges, such as the need for personalized solutions and ethical considerations. However, it holds immense potential for transforming care practices. By leveraging AI, caregivers can manage their responsibilities more effectively, leading to better outcomes for both caregivers and care recipients. Future research should continue to explore diverse AI applications, focusing on personalized and ethical solutions that address the unique needs of caregivers.
Original Article:
Bioengineering (Basel). 2024 May 12;11(5):483. doi: 10.3390/bioengineering11050483.
