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Beyond the human touch: A critical review of the promise and challenges of animal- and robot-assisted therapy in loneliness and mental healthcare

Bertin, Lindsey, Katz, Jeffrey S., Deshpande, Gopikrishna, Krueger, Frank·2025·Asian Journal of Psychiatry
DOI 10.1016/j.ajp.2025.104615
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Abstract

Mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and dementia, are increasingly recognized as exacerbated by social isolation and loneliness, prompting growing interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven and robotic interventions for social support. Traditional interventions such as animal-assisted therapy (AAT) have demonstrated effectiveness by leveraging the human-animal bond to reduce stress, enhance social engagement, and improve emotional well-being. However, AAT faces logistical challenges, including availability, cost, and animal welfare concerns. In response, robot-assisted therapy (RAT) has emerged as a scalable alternative, offering consistent social interaction and emotional support without the limitations of live animals. Advances in AI have enhanced RAT's potential by enabling more adaptive, engaging interactions, yet questions remain regarding these connections' emotional significance and depth. This review critically evaluates the efficacy of AAT and RAT in addressing mental health disorders, comparing their impact on loneliness, stress, and mental health outcomes. While AAT has demonstrated moderate yet significant benefits across various populations, its accessibility remains limited. Early RAT studies suggest potential in mitigating loneliness and improving mood, particularly in older adults and individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. However, methodological limitations and uncertainties about emotional dept…

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Metadata

Authors
Bertin, L., Katz, J. S., Deshpande, G., & Krueger, F.
ORCID
Bertin, Lindsey
Venue
Asian Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2025-08
Volume
110
Pages
104615
ISSN
1876-2018
DOI
10.1016/j.ajp.2025.104615
Cited by
7
References
8
Language
en
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