Exploring Use of Companion Robot Pets for Older Adults in Care Homes, an 8-month Stepped-wedge, Cluster Randomised Control Trial.
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- University of Plymouth
- Enrollment
- 83
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Neuropsychiatric Inventory (Nursing Home Version) (Cummings, 1994)
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This study will assess the use and impact of the affordable 'Joy for All' robot pets for older people with and without dementia living in the care homes in South West England.
Robot pets such as Paro have shown potential in improving wellbeing (including reduced agitation, loneliness, medication use, anxiety and depression), however previous work conducted by the investigators suggests Paro is less acceptable to older adults than alternative devices; the Joy for All cat and dog. Paro is also much more expensive (£5000 compared to £100) limiting its use within the real world, and limiting the number of people able to benefit.
The investigators therefore wish to explore the potential of these more affordable robots in achieving wellbeing benefits.
Detailed Description
This study will be an eight month stepped-wedge, cluster randomised control trial exploring the use and impact of 'Joy for All' robot pets with older people living in care homes in South West England. Participants will include individuals with and without dementia.
The study aims to:
- See if affordable robot pets lead to improved wellbeing and are robust and engaging over 4-8 months in care homes and nursing homes.
- Identify under what circumstances, for which care home residents, and with what impact the robot pets are used.
The wellbeing outcomes to be explored include; neuropsychiatric symptoms, challenging behaviour, communication and loneliness.
Additional outcomes include monitoring of medication use, 1:1 care applications, and maintenance of a usage chart.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Supportive Care
- Masking
- None
Masking Description
N/A not possible
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 65 Years to — (Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Any resident at a collaborating care home or nursing home that has consent to participate.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Any resident at a collaborating home without consent to participate.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Neuropsychiatric Inventory (Nursing Home Version) (Cummings, 1994)
Time Frame: Measured at baseline, 4 months and 8 months
Will be used to assess any changes in neuropsychiatric symptoms of care home residents. For each domain, there are four scores; frequency (0-4, with higher scores being most frequent), severity (0-3, with higher scores being most severe), total score (frequency x severity), and caregiver distress (0-5, higher scores signal more distress)
Secondary Outcomes
- Challenging Behaviour Scale (Moniz-Cook et al., 2001)(Measured at baseline, 4 months and 8 months)
- Campaign to End Loneliness Measurement Tool (3-item) (Campaign to End Loneliness, n.d.)(Measured at baseline, 4 months and 8 months)
- Holden Communication Scale (Strøm et al., 2016)(Measured at baseline, 4 months and 8 months)
- Medication Use Review(Will be reviewed for the 4 weeks prior to study commencement, 4 weeks prior to 4 month post study commencement and the 4 weeks prior to study completion at 8 months)
- 1:1 Care Applications(Will be reviewed for the 4 weeks prior to study commencement, 4 weeks prior to 4 month post study commencement and the 4 weeks prior to study completion at 8 months)
- Qualitative Impact Review(Dairies will be maintained during intervention phases (8 months for cluster 1, 4 months for cluster 2), interviews and summative review will be conducted at 8 months)
Investigators
Hannah Bradwell
Principal Investigator
University of Plymouth