Conversational Agents for Health and Well-being Across the Life Course: Protocol for an Evidence Map
BackgroundConversational agents, which we defined as computer programs that are designed to simulate two-way human conversation by using language and are potentially supplemented with nonlanguage modalities, offer promising avenues for health interventions for different popul...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2021-09-01
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| Series: | JMIR Research Protocols |
| Online Access: | https://www.researchprotocols.org/2021/9/e26680 |
| _version_ | 1827859061748531200 |
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| author | Mara Pereira Guerreiro Leonardo Angelini Helga Rafael Henriques Mira El Kamali Cristina Baixinho João Balsa Isa Brito Félix Omar Abou Khaled Maria Beatriz Carmo Ana Paula Cláudio Maurizio Caon Karl Daher Bruno Alexandre Mafalda Padinha Elena Mugellini |
| author_facet | Mara Pereira Guerreiro Leonardo Angelini Helga Rafael Henriques Mira El Kamali Cristina Baixinho João Balsa Isa Brito Félix Omar Abou Khaled Maria Beatriz Carmo Ana Paula Cláudio Maurizio Caon Karl Daher Bruno Alexandre Mafalda Padinha Elena Mugellini |
| author_sort | Mara Pereira Guerreiro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
BackgroundConversational agents, which we defined as computer programs that are designed to simulate two-way human conversation by using language and are potentially supplemented with nonlanguage modalities, offer promising avenues for health interventions for different populations across the life course. There is a lack of open-access and user-friendly resources for identifying research trends and gaps and pinpointing expertise across international centers.
ObjectiveOur aim is to provide an overview of all relevant evidence on conversational agents for health and well-being across the life course. Specifically, our objectives are to identify, categorize, and synthesize—through visual formats and a searchable database—primary studies and reviews in this research field.
MethodsAn evidence map was selected as the type of literature review to be conducted, as it optimally corresponded to our aim. We systematically searched 8 databases (MEDLINE; CINAHL; Web of Science; Scopus; the Cochrane, ACM, IEEE, and Joanna Briggs Institute databases; and Google Scholar). We will perform backward citation searching on all included studies. The first stage of a double-stage screening procedure, which was based on abstracts and titles only, was conducted by using predetermined eligibility criteria for primary studies and reviews. An operational screening procedure was developed for streamlined and consistent screening across the team. Double data extraction will be performed with previously piloted data collection forms. We will appraise systematic reviews by using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) 2. Primary studies and reviews will be assessed separately in the analysis. Data will be synthesized through descriptive statistics, bivariate statistics, and subgroup analysis (if appropriate) and through high-level maps such as scatter and bubble charts. The development of the searchable database will be informed by the research questions and data extraction forms.
ResultsAs of April 2021, the literature search in the eight databases was concluded, yielding a total of 16,351 records. The first stage of screening, which was based on abstracts and titles only, resulted in the selection of 1282 records of primary studies and 151 records of reviews. These will be subjected to second-stage screening. A glossary with operational definitions for supporting the study selection and data extraction stages was drafted. The anticipated completion date is October 2021.
ConclusionsOur wider definition of a conversational agent and the broad scope of our evidence map will explicate trends and gaps in this field of research. Additionally, our evidence map and searchable database of studies will help researchers to avoid fragmented research efforts and wasteful redundancies. Finally, as part of the Harnessing the Power of Conversational e-Coaches for Health and Well-being Through Swiss-Portuguese Collaboration project, our work will also inform the development of an international taxonomy on conversational agents for health and well-being, thereby contributing to terminology standardization and categorization.
International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/26680 |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T13:02:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f225de70d4b44bd8bed5de4d266d8a77 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1929-0748 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T13:02:59Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Research Protocols |
| spelling | doaj.art-f225de70d4b44bd8bed5de4d266d8a772023-08-28T19:05:23ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Research Protocols1929-07482021-09-01109e2668010.2196/26680Conversational Agents for Health and Well-being Across the Life Course: Protocol for an Evidence MapMara Pereira Guerreirohttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8192-6080Leonardo Angelinihttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8802-5282Helga Rafael Henriqueshttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2946-4485Mira El Kamalihttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2895-6867Cristina Baixinhohttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7417-1732João Balsahttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8896-8152Isa Brito Félixhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8186-9506Omar Abou Khaledhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0178-9037Maria Beatriz Carmohttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4768-9517Ana Paula Cláudiohttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4594-8087Maurizio Caonhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4050-4214Karl Daherhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4071-4318Bruno Alexandrehttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0170-861XMafalda Padinhahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4546-6854Elena Mugellinihttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0775-0862 BackgroundConversational agents, which we defined as computer programs that are designed to simulate two-way human conversation by using language and are potentially supplemented with nonlanguage modalities, offer promising avenues for health interventions for different populations across the life course. There is a lack of open-access and user-friendly resources for identifying research trends and gaps and pinpointing expertise across international centers. ObjectiveOur aim is to provide an overview of all relevant evidence on conversational agents for health and well-being across the life course. Specifically, our objectives are to identify, categorize, and synthesize—through visual formats and a searchable database—primary studies and reviews in this research field. MethodsAn evidence map was selected as the type of literature review to be conducted, as it optimally corresponded to our aim. We systematically searched 8 databases (MEDLINE; CINAHL; Web of Science; Scopus; the Cochrane, ACM, IEEE, and Joanna Briggs Institute databases; and Google Scholar). We will perform backward citation searching on all included studies. The first stage of a double-stage screening procedure, which was based on abstracts and titles only, was conducted by using predetermined eligibility criteria for primary studies and reviews. An operational screening procedure was developed for streamlined and consistent screening across the team. Double data extraction will be performed with previously piloted data collection forms. We will appraise systematic reviews by using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) 2. Primary studies and reviews will be assessed separately in the analysis. Data will be synthesized through descriptive statistics, bivariate statistics, and subgroup analysis (if appropriate) and through high-level maps such as scatter and bubble charts. The development of the searchable database will be informed by the research questions and data extraction forms. ResultsAs of April 2021, the literature search in the eight databases was concluded, yielding a total of 16,351 records. The first stage of screening, which was based on abstracts and titles only, resulted in the selection of 1282 records of primary studies and 151 records of reviews. These will be subjected to second-stage screening. A glossary with operational definitions for supporting the study selection and data extraction stages was drafted. The anticipated completion date is October 2021. ConclusionsOur wider definition of a conversational agent and the broad scope of our evidence map will explicate trends and gaps in this field of research. Additionally, our evidence map and searchable database of studies will help researchers to avoid fragmented research efforts and wasteful redundancies. Finally, as part of the Harnessing the Power of Conversational e-Coaches for Health and Well-being Through Swiss-Portuguese Collaboration project, our work will also inform the development of an international taxonomy on conversational agents for health and well-being, thereby contributing to terminology standardization and categorization. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/26680https://www.researchprotocols.org/2021/9/e26680 |
| spellingShingle | Mara Pereira Guerreiro Leonardo Angelini Helga Rafael Henriques Mira El Kamali Cristina Baixinho João Balsa Isa Brito Félix Omar Abou Khaled Maria Beatriz Carmo Ana Paula Cláudio Maurizio Caon Karl Daher Bruno Alexandre Mafalda Padinha Elena Mugellini Conversational Agents for Health and Well-being Across the Life Course: Protocol for an Evidence Map JMIR Research Protocols |
| title | Conversational Agents for Health and Well-being Across the Life Course: Protocol for an Evidence Map |
| title_full | Conversational Agents for Health and Well-being Across the Life Course: Protocol for an Evidence Map |
| title_fullStr | Conversational Agents for Health and Well-being Across the Life Course: Protocol for an Evidence Map |
| title_full_unstemmed | Conversational Agents for Health and Well-being Across the Life Course: Protocol for an Evidence Map |
| title_short | Conversational Agents for Health and Well-being Across the Life Course: Protocol for an Evidence Map |
| title_sort | conversational agents for health and well being across the life course protocol for an evidence map |
| url | https://www.researchprotocols.org/2021/9/e26680 |
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