Exploring use of companion robot pets for older adults in care homes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The use of therapeutic pet robots for older people and those with dementia in the care home setting
IRAS ID
268571
Contact name
Hannah Bradwell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Plymouth
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 0 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Companion robots such as Paro offer strong potential for improving health and wellbeing of older adults and people with dementia living in care homes. The literature suggests numerous benefits including reduced agitation, loneliness, anxiety, blood pressure and medication use. However, the cost of the robot (~£5000) limits the number of people able to benefit. This project therefore aims to assess more affordable robots for their potential in achieving comparable health and wellbeing benefits.The project is part of a collaborative action research project investigating the use of companion robots in care homes, although research to date has focused on older adults with capacity to consent, family members and care staff. This study will involve collection of both quantitative and qualitative data. The participants will be older adults living in collaborating care homes, with and without dementia, therefore including some residents without capacity to consent. Inclusion of residents without capacity is essential, as a primary aim of companion robots is improved wellbeing for people with dementia. Participants will have opportunities to interact with a robot cat and dog (Joy for All) over 8 months, with measures of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms, Challenging Behaviour, Loneliness, Communication, 1:1 care requirements and medication use taken at baseline, 4 months and 8 months. Staff in collaborating homes will also maintain reflective diaries and be invited to share their observations in semi-structured interviews following the study.
Summary of Results
There was a significant difference in total change from baseline to follow-up for NPI and occupational disruptiveness scores between the intervention and control group. Neuropsychiatric symptoms increased in the control group, while decreasing in the intervention group. No significant difference was seen for communication issues or challenging behaviour. On NPI sub-domains, there was a significant difference in total change from baseline to follow-up for delusions, depression, anxiety, elation and apathy, all of which decreased in the intervention group and increased slightly in the control group. The summative impact results suggested the majority of residents who did interact with robots received a positive impact (85.2%, 46/54). Those who did interact had significantly higher dementia severity scores than those who did not interact. The qualitative results suggested good levels of adoption and acceptability, and demonstrated main ‘reasons for use’ of robots were entertainment, anxiety and agitation.Conclusion
Affordable robot pets hold potential in improving wellbeing for care home residents and people with dementia, including reduced neuropsychiatric symptoms and occupational disruptiveness. This work suggests no novelty effect, and contributes to the discussion on suitability of robot pets, finding robot interactions were more common among residents with more moderate/severe dementia, although qualitaitve results suggest subjective loneliness may also be a predictive factor.REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NE/0319
Date of REC Opinion
13 Nov 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion