NHS Trust explores the benefits of robotic baby seal as innovative therapy for people with dementia

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is working with the University of Brighton to explore the therapeutic benefits that PARO, the robotic baby seal has to people living with dementia in hospitals and care homes.

PARO is a baby harp seal, a medical device, invented in Japan by Professor Takanori Shibata at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and used to support people living with dementia and learning disabilities.

Dr Penny Dodds, nurse lecturer practitioner from the University of Brighton’s School of Health Sciences, is leading a research project, exploring the introduction of PARO within the NHS, specifically, dementia care within the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Dodds said: “There are similarities to pet therapy but PARO has the advantage of being more available, does not have the immediate association of a cat or dog and is easier to supervise.”

More than 800,000 people living in the UK are affected by dementia, while it is estimated this figure will rise to more than one million by 2025.

Dr Dodds whose father died after living with Alzheimer’s disease, said: “I’m very impressed with PARO so far. As a robotic device with artificial intelligence it is remarkably engaging and has a strong ‘presence’ – what we need to understand is how to help take positive research findings into everyday care.”

Research shows that PARO has the ability to reduce anxiety and stress in its users, in addition to encouraging social interaction, emotional expression and improve mood and the fluency of speech.

Dr Dodds said: “The most important aspect is the difference PARO makes to a patient’s quality of life. We have seen PARO helping relax a person with dementia when they have become upset and distressed.

“We have also seen how it can help people express themselves verbally and emotionally. Promoting well-being and enhancing the experience of people in ways which help reduce the need for medication is important.”

It is hoped that the research will explore how to introduce PARO from the research arena into the range of non-pharmacological innovations available of ruse within clinical settings.

Dr Dodds is working in collaboration with staff at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Dr Kathy Martyn from the University of Brighton developing research into the microbiological and infection prevention and control aspects.

Currently this involves exploring the risk, infection prevention and the control requirements, in addition to building staff skills in order to use PARO to enhance existing care options available, as well as identifying who would benefit the most from using PARO.

PARO has built-in sensors enabling it to react to touch and sound. Costing around £4,000, artificial intelligence allows it to ‘learn’ and respond to the names patients and users give it and react when being stroked or spoken to, wriggling, turning, opening its eyes and making a squeaking sound.

Unlike a real pet, PARO has rechargeable batteries so is always available and has a life expectancy of around 12 years.

For more information on the research project, visit: http://www.brighton.ac.uk/healthresearch/research-projects/the-paro-project.aspx