Smartphone-Based Digital Literacy Training for Older Adults

NCT07693582 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: TBAEK-181
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 140
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study examined whether a structured, classroom-based smartphone training programme can improve digital literacy and confidence in using a smartphone among adults aged 60 years and older enrolled in a lifelong-learning programme. The study used a non-randomised, wait-list-controlled design with two existing class cohorts: one cohort received the training first (intervention group), and the other continued with its usual programme activities and served as a comparison (wait-list control group). Digital literacy and smartphone self-efficacy were measured before the training, immediately after the training, and again three months later. The aim was to determine whether older adults who took part in the training showed greater improvement than those who did not.

Conditions

Literacy-language Intervention; Literacy; Older Adults (60 - 85 Years Old); Aging

Keywords

digital literacy; smartphone; ehealth; gerontology; lifelong learning

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Digital Literacy Scale (DLS) score

  Digital literacy assessed with the Digital Literacy Scale. Scores range from a minimum of 12 to a maximum of 60. Higher scores indicate greater digital literacy (a better outcome).

  Baseline (T1), immediately post-intervention (approximately week 6, T2), and 3-month follow-up (T3)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Smartphone Self-Efficacy Scale (SSES) score

  Baseline (T1), immediately post-intervention (approximately week 6, T2), and 3-month follow-up (T3)

• Programme satisfaction

  Immediately post-intervention (approximately week 6, T2)

Study Arms (2)

Smartphone-based digital literacy training

EXPERIMENTAL

Advanced-level cohort receiving a structured smartphone training programme: 12 sessions over 6 weeks (two sessions per week, 90 to 105 minutes each), mapped to the DigComp 2.2 framework, using participants' own Android smartphones.

Behavioral: Structured smartphone-based digital literacy training

Wait-list control

NO INTERVENTION

Second-year cohort continuing usual programme activities with the training deferred; served as the comparison group.

Interventions

Structured smartphone-based digital literacy training BEHAVIORAL

Instructor-led smartphone training delivered in 12 sessions over 6 weeks (twice weekly, 90 to 105 minutes), mapped to the DigComp 2.2 framework, using participants' own Android smartphones, a projector for demonstration, a class messaging group, and between-session practice tasks.

Smartphone-based digital literacy training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 60 years or older
• Enrolled in the Akdeniz University 60+ Refresher (Tazelenme) University programme
• Owns and regularly uses an smartphone
• Able to attend the scheduled training sessions
• Provides written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Severe cognitive, visual, or hearing impairment that would prevent participation in the training

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Akdeniz University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Akdeniz University 60+ Tazelenme University

Antalya, 07070, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Literacy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Communication; Behavior

Study Officials

• Gülüşan Özgün Başıbüyük

  Akdeniz University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant, Principal Investigator

Model Details: Two intact class cohorts were allocated at the group level to the intervention and wait-list control arms; assignment was not randomised at the individual level.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 4, 2026
• First Posted: July 9, 2026
• Study Start: April 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: August 22, 2025
• Study Completion: August 22, 2025
• Last Updated: July 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: ANALYTIC CODE
• Time Frame: Available beginning after publication of the main results, with no fixed end date.
• Access Criteria: Requests are reviewed by the corresponding author (B.K.). De-identified data and analytic code will be shared with researchers who submit a methodologically sound proposal and sign a data-access and confidentiality agreement, subject to applicable ethics approvals and participant-confidentiality restrictions.

Locations

TU (1)