Robotic animals can help make people with dementia less anxious

Robotic animals can help to improve the quality of life for people with dementia, according to recent research.

A study has found interacting with a cuddly robotic seal made people with mid- to late-stage dementia less anxious and also had a positive influence on their quality of life.

The pilot study, a collaboration which involved Northumbria University's Professor Glenda Cook, Professor Wendy Moyle from Griffith University, Australia and researchers from institutions in Germany, looked at the impact of interacting with a robotic harp seal (PARO) compared with taking part in a reading group.

The study built on Professor Cook's previous work carried out in care homes in North East England.

Glenda Cook, Professor of Nursing at Northumbria University, said: “Our study provides important preliminary support for the idea that robots may present a supplement to activities currently in use and could enhance the life of older adults as therapeutic companions and, in particular, for those with moderate or severe cognitive impairment.

“There is a need for further research, with a larger sample size, and an argument for investing in interventions such as PARO robots which may reduce dementia-related behaviours that make the provision of care challenging as well as costly due to increased use of staff resources and pharmaceutical treatment.”

The robotic harp seal is fitted with artificial intelligence software and tactile sensors that allow it to respond to touch and sound. It can show emotions such as surprise, happiness and anger, can learn its own name and learns to respond to words that its owner uses frequently.

Eighteen people living in a care home took part in activities with the robotic animal for five weeks and also took part in a control reading group activity for the same period.

Following both trial periods the impact was assessed, using recognised clinical dementia measurements, for how the activities had influenced the residents' quality of life, tendency to wander, level of apathy, levels of depression and anxiety ratings.

The findings showed the robots had a positive, clinically meaningful influence on quality of life, increased levels of pleasure and also reduced displays of anxiety.

Research has already shown that interaction with animals can have a beneficial effect on older adults, increasing their social behaviour and verbal interaction and decreasing feelings of loneliness.

However, scientists were keen to carry out this study as they claim the presence of animals in residential care home settings can place residents at risk of infection or injury and create additional duties for nursing staff.

This latest study suggests robotic animals could potentially be used in residential settings to help reduce some of the symptoms - such as agitation, aggression, isolation and loneliness - of dementia.

The researchers of the pilot study have identified the need to undertake a larger trial in order to increase the data available.

The pilot study, entitled ‘Exploring the Effect of Companion Robots on Emotional Expression in Older Adults with Dementia’, was published in The Journal of Gerontological Nursing.