Companion Robotic Pets and Older Adults

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Caregiver Burden; Dementia; Social Behavior
• Interventions: Behavioral: Hasbro Joy for All robot pet companion

• Registration Number: NCT06246734
• Lead Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh

Brief Summary

This research will assess the effect of companion robotic pets on the wellbeing of older adults and their family caregivers.

Detailed Description

Social robot pets have been shown to have a positive impact on age-related physical, cognitive, emotional, and social challenges that affect independence and quality of life. These "pets" are designed to interact with people as a real pet might. They purr when stroked, make eye contact, have a heartbeat, turn toward a person when touched, are warm, and appear lifelike. Does introduction of such a pet reduce loneliness or promote engagement in older adults with cognitive or physical disability?

This research will determine if:

1. Older adults with disabilities engage with such robotic companions;

2. Placing a robotic pet in a home enhances mood and positive affect in older people;

3. Caregivers to these adults find the robots beneficial for their own mood and time use.

In a single-blind randomized controlled trial over 6-8 weeks, we hypothesize that older adults in the intervention arm will engage with the pets and show benefit in mood as reported by family caregivers.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-01-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-01-30
• Study First Posted: 2024-02-07
• Study Start: 2024-03-03
• Primary Completion: 2024-10-31
• Study Completion: 2024-12-31
• Status Verified: 2025-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-01-07
• Last Update Posted: 2025-01-09

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 53

Inclusion Criteria

1. Participating in Family Caregiver Support Program or OPTIONS Program administered by Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging
2. Provide unpaid family or friend caregiver support for at least 6 months
3. Older person aged 50+
4. Able to provide verbal informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

1. Uncomfortable with robot pet companion in home
2. Family Caregiver < 18 years age

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Treatment, Immediate Robot Pet Companion	Hasbro Joy for All robot pet companion	Participants will receive a Hasbro Joy for All robotic pet. These are low cost (\< $150), life-like cats and dogs that respond to human interaction by making sounds or turning their head for eye contact. The robot companion pets are designed as supports for older people with cognitive impairment. In this trial, the older person can treat it like a pet or ignore it. Family caregivers will report on engagement with the pet and effects on mood.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Positive Affect Scale from Baseline to 6-8 weeks	Baseline and Follow-up, 6-8 weeks later	PROMIS Positive Affect Short Form 15a Scale: The PROMIS measures are normed for population probability samples, with raw scores transformed into T scores (mean 50, SD=10). The scale measures positive emotion (e.g., enjoyment, engagement, serenity).
Change in Negative Affect from Baseline to 6-8 weeks	Baseline and Follow-up, 6-8 weeks later	PROMIS Emotional Distress and Anger Short Form Scale: The PROMIS measures are normed for population probability samples, with raw scores transformed into T scores (mean = 50, SD=10). The scale measures emotional distress (e.g., irritability, anger).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Pittsburgh; 🇺🇸 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States