Nov 1, 2021 | Research
Abstract
Background
Globally, pressure is increasing on health and social care resources due to the aging population and growing prevalence of dementia. Companion robots, such as Paro, demonstrate strong potential for helping reduce this pressure through reported benefits including reduced agitation, depression, loneliness, care provider burden, and medication use.
However, we previously identified that user-centered design of robot pets is both essential and understudied. We observed that commonly used robot pets are poorly matched to end-user requirements, and that end users and developers of robot pets differ significantly in their perception of appropriate design. This may explain some of the contradictory outcome research and variance in results for robot pets, such as Paro.
Objective
In response to the literature gap, we aimed to provide user-centered insights into the design of robot pets from key stakeholders to inform future robot development and the choice of robots for real-world implementation and research. We focused on understanding user requirements.
Methods
We conducted a qualitative study with 65 participants from 5 care homes (26 care home residents, 29 staff members. and 10 family members). Care home residents formed groups of between 3 and 4 individuals and experienced free interactions with a range of 8 companion robots and toys, including Paro and more affordable alternatives.
The robots provided had a range of esthetics, shell types, interactivity levels, and designs for comparison. Care staff and family members observed the interactions. All participants then engaged in focus groups within their stakeholder category to discuss preferences and user requirements in companion robot design. Both free interactions and focus groups were video and audio recorded, transcribed, and subjected to thematic analysis.
Results
Care home residents, family members, and staff were open and accepting of the use of companion robot pets, with the majority suggesting that they would keep a device for themselves or the residents.
The most preferred device was the Joy for All cat, followed by the Joy for All dog. In discussions, the preferred design features included familiar animal embodiment (domestic pet), soft fur, interactivity, big appealing eyes, simulated breathing, and movements. Unfamiliar devices were more often seen as toy-like and suitable for children, producing some negative responses.
Conclusions
This work provides important and user-centered insights into future robot designs for care home residents by means of a comprehensive comparison with key stakeholders. This work strongly supports the use of familiar embodiment in future robot pet designs, with domestic cat and dog morphologies appearing most acceptable. The results have implications for future robot designs and the selection of robot pets for both research and real-world implementations.
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Sep 23, 2019 | Research
Abstract
Background
Studies consistently demonstrate that older adults who are lonely have higher rates of depression and increased mortality risk. Pet ownership may be a solution for loneliness; however, challenges related to pet ownership exist for older adults. Therefore, researchers and practitioners are examining the use of animatronic pets to reduce loneliness.
Objective
To determine the feasibility of an animatronic pet program, and whether ownership of animatronic pets would decrease loneliness and improve well-being among lonely older adults.
Methods
Eligible individuals were identified as lonely through a prior survey. Participants were provided with the choice of an animatronic pet and completed T1/T2/T3 surveys.
Results
Attrition was high; 168 (63%) participants completed T1/T2 surveys, and 125 (48%) also completed a T3 survey. Post survey data indicated that loneliness decreased, while mental well-being, resilience, and purpose in life improved. Frequent interactions with the pets were associated with greater improvement in mental well-being and optimism.
Conclusions
Animatronic pets appear to provide benefits for the well-being of lonely older adults. Future studies should employ randomized controlled designs examining the impact of animatronic pets.
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Feb 9, 2019 | Research
Delirium is highly prevalent in hospitalized patients and is a strong and consistent negative predictor of length of stay, mortality, and long-term cognitive outcomes.
Symptoms commonly associated with delirium include reduced ability to focus, sleep disturbances, psychomotor agitation, and emotional disturbances. The management of the behavioral disturbances of delirium is challenging. Although non-pharmacologic means to reduce the duration or severity of delirium are advocated, there are limited established therapies beyond early physical mobilization, reorientation, attempting to enhance natural sleep patterns, and bedside sitting.
Recently, the use of robotic pets has been reported to be helpful in reducing agitation in nursing home patients with dementia.
Given that dementia is a major risk factor for delirium, it is reasonable to speculate whether such devices could be useful in a hospital setting. To this end, we initiated a pilot study to assess the feasibility of using robotic pets as a non-pharmacologic behavioral intervention for intensive care unit (ICU) patients with delirium.
We recruited 20 subjects with ICU delirium, at our hospital, from July 2017 to December 2017. The institutional review board approved the study. Delirium was confirmed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU scale.
After written informed consent was obtained from the subject’s proxy, the subject received a new “Joy for All” robotic cat (Hasbro, Pawtucket, RI). The cat is battery-operated and can purr, meow, and react to touch. The family and bedside nurse were encouraged to use the cat with the subject (Figure). At 3 days post-enrollment, the subject (if able) and family (if available) were asked to complete a 5-question survey and to provide unstructured feedback. The same survey was e-mailed to all ICU nurses, support staff, and clinicians (n ∼ 400). Survey questions were graded on a 5-point Likert scale (from 1 [“strongly disagree”] to 5 [“strongly agree”]). Twenty-three surveys were returned from subjects and their families, and 70 were returned from ICU support staff.
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Feb 9, 2018 | Research
This randomized controlled trial at an inner city community hospital examined the effect of a robotic pet (cat or dog) on cognition, loneliness, depression, delirium, falls, restraint use, and 1:1 companion use in 160 adults over age 65. The study utilized robotic pets which have an audible heartbeat and interact by purring or barking, turning their heads, opening/closing their eyes, snuggling, wagging their tails, moving their paws, and showing their bellies.
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Sep 9, 2017 | Research
Abstract
Research has previously demonstrated the positive effects of robotic companion pets, but while this is important from a research perspective, their cost renders their widespread use currently unfeasible.
This research seeks to explore the potential of an affordable robot, with a view to making a realistic difference in quality of life for people with dementia and their carers. Early research results involving participants in the community have proved very positive.
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