Investigating the impact of sociodemographic factors on training efficacy and its correlation with technology usability in older adults: Lessons learned in Italian and Murcian pilots

Introduction: Technology training supports technology adoption among older adults. However, guidelines and insights into personal and sociodemographic factors affecting its effectiveness are lacking. This study explores how these factors influence training effectiveness in older adults and its impact on technology usability. Methods: This paper focuses on two pilot sites of the Pharaon project that implemented similar health monitoring scenarios. A total of 114 older adults were recruited and trained on monitoring technologies following which they filled in sociodemographic and usability questionnaires. Results: Our findings indicate that age, digital literacy, educational attainment, and perceived loneliness significantly affect training evaluation, while quality of life and gender do not show a significant impact. Training efficacy was also found to be connected to system usability (all p < 0.005). Furthermore, the experience of professionals involved with providing training to older adults was elaborated highlighting the importance of tailored training approaches and continuous support mechanisms to enhance technology adoption among older populations. Discussion: The results showed that training programs aimed at enhancing usability should consider tailoring the content to the user, as there are personal factors which can influence how the training is received. Finally, the results provide actionable recommendations for optimizing training protocols to facilitate the integration of digital health solutions across diverse environments. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for standardized yet adaptable training guidelines that address individual differences, offering practical direction for future implementations and policies to support long-term technology adoption in older adults.