New age technology in promoting healthy aging

• Published in: Journal of the Indian academy of geriatrics Vol. 16; no. 3; pp. 124 - 129
• Main Authors: Soumya S Inamadar, Ashish Goel, S V Madhu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 01-01-2020
• Subjects: artificial intelligence; healthy aging; mobile applications; noncommunicable disease; wearable devices
• ISSN: 0974-3405; 0974-2484
• DOI: 10.4103/jiag.jiag_9_20

Introduction: Digitalization of the world and the Internet of things have completely transformed social life and health care. Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), wearable and implantable devices, mobile applications, and the Internet have revolutionized health-care delivery. With the betterment of health care and control of infectious diseases, longevity has increased, resulting in the bane of chronic noncommunicable illnesses and comorbidities in the aging population. This study aims to review the existing literature on technology applications in health care and the scope for promoting healthy aging. Methods: An online search was done on electronic databases such as PubMed and Google in July 2019 using a combination of keywords mobile, Android, cellphone, artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, diabetes, blood sugar, hypertension, blood pressure, dyslipidemia, cognitive impairment, and falls. About 80,964 citations were found. On applying the filter title, 997 articles were obtained. In the title and abstract review, 15 unique articles were selected, by eliminating similar, duplicate, and nonrelevant articles. In addition, using cross-reference and Google search, ten articles were found. Discussion: Various applications of the technology in the management of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity and geriatric syndromes such as falls and cognitive impairment have been classified into three sections: prevention and prediction; diagnosis and detection; and medication and management. The names of a few applications have been cited as examples. Conclusion: The new age technology has shown promise at various health-care intervention levels in a futuristic hope of taking medicine to the next level - Precision Medicine. The present work will allow physicians involved in older patients with NCDs and geriatric comorbidities to help them have an independent, comfortable, and functional aging.