Implications of a collaborative production process based on the living lab approach for older adults’ health: An integrative review

Abstract

The living lab offers an innovative research approach to supporting aging in place. However, the specific methodologies and challenges associated with using the living lab in healthcare research remain insufficiently explored. This study conducts an integrative literature review to synthesize insights from living lab studies focused on the health of community-dwelling older adults. Six electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles published in English until October 2023. A total of 27 studies were included, analyzed for their adherence to the five living lab principles: user engagement, multi-stakeholder participation, co-creation, multi-method approaches, and real-life settings. Most studies published after 2020 were from Europe and employed the term "co-design," emphasizing integrated or community care. The studies highlighted the effectiveness of employing co-creation methodologies in healthcare and provided recommendations for future practice. Living labs have demonstrated feasibility and effectiveness in geriatric care, and future research should continue to build on these insights.