The Role of Embodied Conversational Agents in Supporting Older Adults with Hypertension: A Focus Group Study

Julio Oliveira, Telmo Silva, Rita Oliveira, Elizabeth Furtado

2025

Abstract

This paper investigates the essential tasks for Embodied Conversational Agents (ECA) to engage Older Adults in hypertension treatment effectively. The research addresses the growing need for innovative solutions to support aging populations and explores the potential of ECA to provide cognitive, emotional, and practical support. The central research question focuses on identifying the key tasks an ECA should perform to assist Older Adults in managing their hypertension. Through a Focus Group (FG) with healthcare professionals, the study identifies ten key tasks for ECA support, encompassing pharmacological (medication adherence and tracking) and non-pharmacological (dietary monitoring, exercise promotion, disease education, and communication facilitation) aspects of hypertension management. The FG was held online with seven participants (5 participants and 2 User Experience Specialists) in January 2023. The paper also discusses the broader challenges and considerations related to ECA engagement for Older Adults, including ethical concerns, user acceptance, and the importance of personalized and empathetic interactions. The findings emphasize the need for a tailored ECA design that considers individual patient needs, medical history, and preferences to maximize effectiveness and promote successful hypertension management.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Oliveira J., Silva T., Oliveira R. and Furtado E. (2025). The Role of Embodied Conversational Agents in Supporting Older Adults with Hypertension: A Focus Group Study. In Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies for Ageing Well and e-Health - Volume 1: IS4WB_SC; ISBN 978-989-758-743-6, SciTePress, pages 433-442. DOI: 10.5220/0013504300003938

in Bibtex Style

@conference{is4wb_sc25,
author={Julio Oliveira and Telmo Silva and Rita Oliveira and Elizabeth Furtado},
title={The Role of Embodied Conversational Agents in Supporting Older Adults with Hypertension: A Focus Group Study},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies for Ageing Well and e-Health - Volume 1: IS4WB_SC},
year={2025},
pages={433-442},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0013504300003938},
isbn={978-989-758-743-6},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies for Ageing Well and e-Health - Volume 1: IS4WB_SC
TI - The Role of Embodied Conversational Agents in Supporting Older Adults with Hypertension: A Focus Group Study
SN - 978-989-758-743-6
AU - Oliveira J.
AU - Silva T.
AU - Oliveira R.
AU - Furtado E.
PY - 2025
SP - 433
EP - 442
DO - 10.5220/0013504300003938
PB - SciTePress