Assistive technologies for medication self-management in people with disabilities: A systematic scoping review and evidence map

BACKGROUND: Medication self-management poses significant challenges for persons with disabilities. Although self-help devices and assistive technologies (ATs) have the potential to enhance autonomy and safety, the evidence supporting their effectiveness is fragmented. OBJECTIVE: To systematically map scientific literature on ATs that support medication use among individuals with vision disorders, hearing loss, or intellectual disabilities. METHODS: A systematic scoping review was conducted in accordance with the JBI and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Six databases were searched for studies published since 2000 that evaluated ATs designed to support medication management in specified populations. Data were extracted in duplicate to classify the technologies, study designs, and outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 1147 identified records, 80 studies were included. Most of these studies addressed visual impairment (n = 41; 51.2%) and focused on electronic devices. The evidence base consisted primarily of small-scale observational studies. Only 23 studies (28.7%) evaluated outcomes, primarily user satisfaction or device performance. Only three studies assessed clinical outcomes such as medication errors or hospitalizations, and only ten (12.5%) reported cost analyses. CONCLUSIONS: There is a critical gap between the technological innovation of ATs and their clinical validation. Despite the existence of numerous prototypes, there is a lack of robust evidence on the effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of ATs. Future research should use rigorous methods, such as randomized controlled trials and economic evaluations, to prove the clinical value of ATs in improving medication safety and accessibility for people with disabilities.