# TalkTive: A Conversational Agent Using Backchannels to Engage Older Adults in Neurocognitive Disorders Screening

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2202.08216 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2202.08216/

## Key facts

- Cited by 3 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 4 of its 110 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 16 Feb 2022.

## Builds on (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [Yeah, Right, Uh-Huh: A Deep Learning Backchannel Predictor](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1706.01340/) (2017)
- [Exploring Semi-Supervised Learning for Predicting Listener Backchannels](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2101.01899/) (2021)
- [Identification of Dementia Using Audio Biomarkers](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2002.12788/) (2020)
- [Older Adults and Voice Interaction: A Pilot Study with Google Home](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1903.07195/) (2019)

## Built on by (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [Conversational Agents for Older Adults' Health: A Systematic Literature Review](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.23153/) (2025)
- [Designing and Evaluating a Conversational Agent for Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2509.11478/) (2025)
- [Agentic Cognitive Profiling: Realigning Automated Alzheimer's Disease Detection with Clinical Construct Validity](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.17392/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Conversational agents (CAs) have the great potential in mitigating the clinicians' burden in screening for neurocognitive disorders among older adults. It is important, therefore, to develop CAs that can be engaging, to elicit conversational speech input from older adult participants for supporting assessment of cognitive abilities. As an initial step, this paper presents research in developing the backchanneling ability in CAs in the form of a verbal response to engage the speaker. We analyzed 246 conversations of cognitive assessments between older adults and human assessors, and derived the categories of reactive backchannels (e.g. "hmm") and proactive backchannels (e.g. "please keep going"). This is used in the development of TalkTive, a CA which can predict both timing and form of backchanneling during cognitive assessments. The study then invited 36 older adult participants to evaluate the backchanneling feature. Results show that proactive backchanneling is more appreciated by participants than reactive backchanneling.