Robot‐assisted therapy for improving social interactions and activity participation among institutionalized older adults: A pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: Animal‐assisted therapy is gaining popularity as part of therapeutic activities for older adults in many long‐term care facilities. However, concerns about dog bites, allergic responses to pets, disease, and insufficient available resources to care for a real pet have led to many residential care facilities to ban this therapy. There are situations where a substitute artificial companion, such as robotic pet, may serve as a better alternative. Methods: This pilot study used a one‐group pre‐ and posttest design to evaluate the effect of a robot‐assisted therapy for older adults. Sixteen eligible participants participated in the study and received a group robot‐assisted therapy using a seal‐like robot pet for 30 minutes twice a week for 4 weeks. All participants received assessments of their communication and interaction skills using the A ssessment of C ommunication and I nteraction S kills (ACIS‐C) and activity participation using the A ctivity P articipation S cale at baseline and at week 4. Results: A total of 12 participants completed the study. Wilcoxon signed rank test showed that participants' communication and interaction skills (z = −2.94, P = 0.003) and activity participation (z = −2.66, P = 0.008) were significantly improved after receiving 4‐week robot‐assisted therapy. Discussion: By interacting with a robot pet, such as Paro, the communication, interaction skills, and activity participation of the older adults can be improved. The robot‐assisted therapy can be provided as a routine activity program and has the potential to improve social health of older adults in residential care facilities.