Efficacy of Smart Speaker–Based Metamemory Training in Older Adults: Case-Control Cohort Study
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Abstract
Background: Metamemory training (MMT) is a useful training strategy for improving cognitive functioning in the older adult population. Despite the advantages, there are limitations imposed by location and time constraints. Objective: This study aimed to develop a smart speaker–based MMT program and evaluate the efficacy of the program in older adults without cognitive impairment. Methods: This study used a case-control cohort design. The smart speaker–based MMT program comprised 3 training sessions per day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks. Each training session took approximately 15 minutes. This program was implemented using smart speakers, not human trainers. All participants completed the Mini-Mental State Examination, Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire, Verbal Learning Test, Digit Span Test, fluency tests, and a short-form version of the Geriatric Depression Scale before and after training. Results: A total of 60 subjects (29 in the MMT group and 31 in the control group) participated in the study. The training group showed significant increases in the delayed free recall, digit span forward, digit span backward, and fluency test scores compared with the control group. Conclusions: This study confirmed the efficacy of smart speaker–based MMT in older adults. Home-based smart speaker–based MMT is not limited with respect to location or constrained by space and may help older adults with subjective cognitive decline without requiring intervention by human professionals.
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Several barriers were identified when using smart speakers, including a lack of technological competency and difficulties issuing commands.
“Several barriers were identified when using smart speakers, including a lack of technological competency and difficulties issuing commands [30].”
From Smart Speakers for Health and Well-Being of Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Review (2025) · cites this paper as [30]
The Introduction (page unavailable) describes unfamiliarity with technology as a difficulty with computers and robots, but presents smart speakers as easier for older adults to use. In Results > Focus Group Interviews (page unavailable), users likewise report that smart speakers were easier and less burdensome than computers or phones. The paper does not identify difficulty issuing commands as a smart-speaker barrier. (LLM, conf=0.78)
Checked by a reasoning model — may be wrong.
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredMental health outcomes were mixed, as depression scores increased in both healthcare app and smart speaker groups after six months, with no significant differences between them.
“Mental health outcomes were similarly mixed, as depression scores increased in both healthcare app and smart speaker groups after six months, with no significant differences between them [30].”
From Smart Speakers for Health and Well-Being of Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Review (2025) · cites this paper as [30]
The Methods describe an eight-week smart-speaker training program, not a six-month comparison with a healthcare-app group. The Results compare the training group with a control group and refer to improvement, rather than an increase, in depressive symptoms; they do not report the claimed between-group depression result. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Checked by a reasoning model — may be wrong.
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredSmart speaker-based metamemory training improved memory and attention scores in older adults.
“Programs such as smart speaker–based metamemory training have improved memory and attention scores [30].”
From Smart Speakers for Health and Well-Being of Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Review (2025) · cites this paper as [30]
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- Authors
- Kim, J., Shin, E., Han, K., Park, S., Youn, J. H., Jin, G., & Lee, J.-Y.
- Affiliations
- Seoul National University (KR)
- CHA University (KR)
- Kyonggi University (KR)
- Corresponding author
- Lee, Jun-Young
- Venue
- Journal of Medical Internet Research
- Publisher
- JMIR Publications Inc.
- Published
- 2021-02-16
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- e20177
- ISSN
- 1438-8871 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC7925152
- OpenAlex
- W3120923181
- Cited by
- 28
- References
- 35
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2
- FWCI
- 2.51
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- Journal of Medical Internet Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
- Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
- Keywords
- smart speakers, older adults, subjective memory complaints, cognitive decline, verbal learning, digit span, fluency
- MeSH terms
- Metacognition, Artificial Intelligence, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Teaching, Cohort Studies, Case-Control Studies
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