Impact of a Novel Socially Assistive Robotic Architecture on Engaging Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia in Long Term Care Settings
Overview
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Intervention
- Socially Assistive Robot Activity
- Conditions
- Alzheimer Disease
- Sponsor
- Vanderbilt University
- Enrollment
- 142
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in Apathy
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 5 days ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The objective of this study is to demonstrate the impact of a socially assistive robot system on reducing apathy among cognitively impaired older adults residing in long term care facilities. Earlier phases of this project demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of the robotic system. First, investigators will improve the social robotic interaction architecture through additional software development, enhance its versatility, and make it easy for non-experts to run. Second, 188 participants will be randomized to either usual activity programs at the long term care facility, or the usual activity programs plus the robotic activities. Researchers will examine the effect on apathy and also plan on examining underlying individual and facility factors that influence the impact of the robotic activities.
Investigators
Nilanjan Sarkar
David K. Wilson Professor of Engineering
Vanderbilt University
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Residing \>3 months in long term care facility
- •Evidence of mild cognitive impairment (SAGE score 15-16), mild dementia (SAGE score \<15, AD8\<2, DSRD\<19), or moderate dementia (SAGE \<15, AD8\>1, DSRD 19-36)
- •Symptoms of apathy (Score 30+ on AES-C)
Exclusion Criteria
- •Severe cognitive impairment
- •Physically unable to participate
- •Unable to provide assent
- •Uncorrected vision or hearing
- •Never spoke English
- •Unable to sit comfortably in chair
- •Acutely ill, terminally ill or unresponsive
- •Unable to be moved to activity location
- •Aggressive or combative
Arms & Interventions
Socially Assistive Robot Activity
Participants will attend two sessions per week and interact with the robot. Four weeks with a humanoid robot and four weeks with a dog robot. Participants can continue to join other activities held within the facility.
Intervention: Socially Assistive Robot Activity
Usual Activity Program
Participants will attend at least two sessions per week at activities held within the facility. They will not be exposed to the robot activities.
Intervention: Socially Assistive Robot Activity
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in Apathy
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 8
Apathy Evaluation Scale - Clinician (AES-C) will be used to assess changes in composite apathy score from baseline, Week 4, and Week 8. The AES-C is a validated 18-item instrument used to assess cognitive, behavioral, emotional and other symptoms of apathy. Clinicians rate each item based on verbal and nonverbal information provided by the participant. Item scores range from 1 (not at all characteristic) to 4 (a lot characteristic). Total scores range from 18 to 72 where higher derived scores indicate greater apathy.
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in Animal Fluency Test(Baseline to Week 8)
- Change in Trail Making Test (TMT)(Baseline to Week 8)