{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,30]],"date-time":"2026-04-30T12:21:18Z","timestamp":1777551678455,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":60,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,1]],"date-time":"2026-02-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1769904000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,1]],"date-time":"2026-02-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1769904000000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100003725","name":"National Research Foundation of Korea","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["RS-2023-00237287"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["RS-2023-00237287"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100003725","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["DIGITAL HEALTH"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,2]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The metaverse, an emerging digital ecosystem that integrates virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), is gaining increasing attention in the healthcare industry. In Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD\/ADRD) care, the metaverse offers transformative solutions for cognitive assessment, remote monitoring, caregiver education, and patient engagement.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objective<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A comprehensive scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines to systematically identify, select, and synthesize relevant literature exploring how emerging digital solutions, including digital health and metaverse applications, are addressing clinical challenges associated with AD\/ADRD.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Searches were conducted across online databases including PubMed, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, and Google Scholar (with a restricted search strategy due to the high volume of available literature), yielding a total of 160 hit results. Of these, 18 relevant articles were selected for in-depth analysis.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Findings highlight that immersive virtual environments enable individuals with AD\/ADRD to engage in cognitive training programs and simulations, aiding memory and cognitive function. Additionally, VR-based telemedicine enables patients to consult with healthcare professionals from the comfort of their homes, reducing travel burdens and ensuring continued medical care despite geographical constraints. Beyond direct patient benefits, the metaverse supports caregivers through virtual training, educational resources, and peer networks that help them navigate the complexities of dementia care. Virtual spaces promote social interaction, reducing isolation and enhancing well-being. However, adoption barriers include technological unfamiliarity, cognitive and physical limitations, caregiver concerns, privacy and cost-related challenges.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Personalized technology design, structured learning environments, and caregiver training can enhance adoption and effectiveness. To maximize impact, addressing barriers through education, improved accessibility, and tailored interventions is essential. Future research should explore scalable implementation strategies, assess long-term patient outcomes, and evaluate cost-effectiveness to support widespread adoption.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1177\/20552076251365002","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,23]],"date-time":"2026-03-23T10:14:49Z","timestamp":1774260889000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Digital health and metaverse for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia: A scoping review"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"12","author":[{"given":"Uchenna Esther","family":"Okpete","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Inje University"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3363-390X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Haewon","family":"Byeon","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Korea University of Technology and Education"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,23]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_3_2_2","unstructured":"World Health Organization. Dementia: number of people affected to triple in next 30 years. Available at https:\/\/www.who.int\/news\/item\/07-12-2017-dementia-number-of-people-affected-to-triple-in-next-30-years (2017 accessed 21 March 2025)."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_3_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/alz.13809"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_4_2","unstructured":"National Plan to Address Alzheimer\u2019s Disease: 2022 Update. Available at https:\/\/aspe.hhs.gov\/reports\/national-plan-2022-update (2022 accessed 21 March 2025)."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_5_2","unstructured":"NAPA - National Alzheimer's Project Act. 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