Adaptive Learning for Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in Nursing Homes: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Continuing education in nursing homes (NHs) is facing a transition to distance learning, such as web-based education, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are managed through integrative direct care by nursing staff, including nurses, nursing assistants, and care workers with diverse educational backgrounds and needs, an effective and efficient web-based education program with a concrete pedagogical and theoretical basis is essential. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an adaptive learning web-based BPSD education system for NH nursing staff. The adaptive learning web-based BPSD education program, with an embedded artificial intelligence chatbot, was developed based on the frameworks of BPSD education and adaptive learning models. The educational program was evaluated using a multisite, single-blinded, quasi-experimental design. Fifty-eight nursing staff were recruited from five different NHs. The experimental group received an adaptive learning system that tailored content to prior knowledge, while the control group received a non-adaptive web-based system. The results from the analysis indicated that all components of learning effectiveness, including BPSD competence, BPSD knowledge, and self-efficacy, were significantly improved in the experimental group compared with the control group. System satisfaction was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group, and 75% of the participants in the experimental group actively adapted their individual educational content. These findings indicate that the adaptive learning system had positive outcomes on learning and system effectiveness, suggesting an innovative strategy toward a “new normal†education for NH nursing staff in the post-COVID-19 era.