The effects of a companion robot for people with dementia and their carers

Completed

• Conditions: Dementia; Caregiver burden and quality of life; Neurological - Dementias

• Registration Number: ACTRN12615000295549
• Lead Sponsor: Elizabeth Broadbent

Brief Summary

The aim of the study was to explore how people with dementia responded to Paro in a home and day care environment. We recruited a total of 30 dyads of care recipients with dementia who attended dementia day care and their informal caregivers. Care recipients in the Paro group showed significantly more positive facial expressions, they also talked more to staff and researchers compared to those in the control group. Based on further analyses of the results, it was found that participants with less severe cognitive impairment seemed to interact more positively with Paro. However, we found that Paro had limited effects in improving care recipient symptoms, medication usage and caregiver well-being. Paro did not change blood pressure or cortisol levels. Some caregivers reported that Paro was soothing, reduced anxiety and improved the mood for the individual with dementia. The participants with dementia showed variable responses to Paro, some people were very responsive to Paro, whereas others did not pay much attention. The findings suggest that Paro has potential as a personalised approach for enhancing the mood and social well-being of individuals with dementia. Paro presents an additional option for day care activities. Paro’s use in a home environment depends on caregivers’ personal preferences and availability.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2015-03-31
• Study Completion: 2015-09-30
• Last Update Posted: 13 January 2020

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

Individuals who have attended the Selwyn Foundation dementia daycare Anchorage unit for at least 3 months and their caregivers
Fluent in English
Informed consent must be obtained

Exclusion Criteria

physically unable to interact with Paro
Non-English speaker

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified