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Journal ArticleDOI

The psychosocial effects of a companion robot: a randomized controlled trial.

TL;DR: Paro is a positive addition to this environment and has benefits for older people in nursing home care and may be able to address some of the unmet needs of older people that a resident animal may not, particularly relating to loneliness.
About: This article is published in Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.The article was published on 2013-09-01. It has received 384 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Loneliness & Paro.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care met to consolidate the huge strides that have been made and the emerging knowledge as to what the authors should do to prevent and manage dementia.

3,826 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
12 Feb 2018-BMJ Open
TL;DR: Although many positive outcomes were reported, a large proportion of the studies have methodological issues, which limit the utility of the results, and the reported value of SAR in elderly care does warrant further investigation.
Abstract: Objective With an elderly population that is set to more than double by 2050 worldwide, there will be an increased demand for elderly care. This poses several impediments in the delivery of high-quality health and social care. Socially assistive robot (SAR) technology could assume new roles in health and social care to meet this higher demand. This review qualitatively examines the literature on the use of SAR in elderly care and aims to establish the roles this technology may play in the future. Design Scoping review. Data sources Search of CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, PsychINFO and Scopus databases was conducted, complemented with a free search using Google Scholar and reference harvesting. All publications went through a selection process, which involved sequentially reviewing the title, abstract and full text of the publication. No limitations regarding date of publication were imposed, and only English publications were taken into account. The main search was conducted in March 2016, and the latest search was conducted in September 2017. Eligibility criteria The inclusion criteria consist of elderly participants, any elderly healthcare facility, humanoid and pet robots and all social interaction types with the robot. Exclusions were acceptability studies, technical reports of robots and publications surrounding physically or surgically assistive robots. Results In total, 61 final publications were included in the review, describing 33 studies and including 1574 participants and 11 robots. 28 of the 33 papers report positive findings. Five roles of SAR were identified: affective therapy, cognitive training, social facilitator, companionship and physiological therapy. Conclusions Although many positive outcomes were reported, a large proportion of the studies have methodological issues, which limit the utility of the results. Nonetheless, the reported value of SAR in elderly care does warrant further investigation. Future studies should endeavour to validate the roles demonstrated in this review. Systematic review registration NIHR 58672.

322 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review aimed to identify the areas of need that older people have, and the available solutions, in particular the robotic solutions are explored and critiqued and areas for future development identified.
Abstract: This review aimed to identify the areas of need that older people have, and the available solutions. In particular, the robotic solutions are explored and critiqued and areas for future development identified. The literature was reviewed for factors that influence admission to nursing home care, and for technological solutions to these factors. The main issues facing older people are physical decline, cognitive decline, health management, and psychosocial issues. Robots exist that may meet some of the identified issues but gaps where robots could be developed include delivering interventions to prevent physical decline occurring and robots with multiple functions, including a range of cognitive stimuli and health education. To reduce barriers to acceptance, robots designed to provide physical and healthcare assistance should have a serious appearance. On the other hand animal-like robots can address psychosocial issues and function like pets. While smart phones and computers can offer some solutions, robots may promote adherence due to a social presence. Robots are being developed to address areas of need in older people, including physical, cognitive, medical and psychosocial issues. However more focus could be placed on developing preventative interventions, multifunctional robots, greater educational content and motivational aspects of appearance and interaction style.

321 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Engineers are trying to build robots that look and behave like humans and thus need comprehensive knowledge not only of technology but also of human cognition, emotion, and behavior, driving engineers to study human behavior toward other humans and toward robots.
Abstract: In movies, robots are often extremely humanlike. Although these robots are not yet reality, robots are currently being used in healthcare, education, and business. Robots provide benefits such as relieving loneliness and enabling communication. Engineers are trying to build robots that look and behave like humans and thus need comprehensive knowledge not only of technology but also of human cognition, emotion, and behavior. This need is driving engineers to study human behavior toward other humans and toward robots, leading to greater understanding of how humans think, feel, and behave in these contexts, including our tendencies for mindless social behaviors, anthropomorphism, uncanny feelings toward robots, and the formation of emotional attachments. However, in considering the increased use of robots, many people have concerns about deception, privacy, job loss, safety, and the loss of human relationships. Human–robot interaction is a fascinating field and one in which psychologists have much to contrib...

307 citations


Cites background from "The psychosocial effects of a compa..."

  • ...A randomized controlled trial found that Paro reduced loneliness and increased social interactions (i.e., talking to the robot and to other people) in a group setting in a rest home or hospital compared to other activities (Robinson et al. 2013)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results from a narrative review indicated that social robot interactions could improve engagement, interaction, and stress indicators, as well as reduce loneliness and the use of medications for older adults.
Abstract: Background and Objectives: Social robots may promote the health of older adults by increasing their perceived emotional support and social interaction. This review aims to summarize the effectiveness of social robots on outcomes (psychological, physiological, quality of life, or medications) of older adults from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Research Design and Methods: A mixed-method systematic review of RCTs meeting the study inclusion criteria was undertaken. Eight databases were electronically searched up to September 2017. Participants’ characteristics, intervention features, and outcome data were retrieved. The mean difference and standardized mean difference with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were synthesized to pool the effect size. Results: A total of 13 articles from 11 RCTs were identified from 2,204 articles, of which 9 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Risk of bias was relatively high in allocation concealment and blinding. Social robots appeared to have positive impacts on agitation, anxiety, and quality of life for older adults but no statistical significance was found in the meta-analysis. However, results from a narrative review indicated that social robot interactions could improve engagement, interaction, and stress indicators, as well as reduce loneliness and the use of medications for older adults. Discussion and Implications: Social robots appear to have the potential to improve the well-being of older adults, but conclusions are limited due to the lack of high-quality studies. More RCTs are recommended with larger sample sizes and rigorous study designs.

258 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A new Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) designed specifically for rating depression in the elderly was tested for reliability and validity and compared with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRS-D) and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS) as discussed by the authors.

13,014 citations

Journal Article
Carol L. Baird1
TL;DR: A randomized controlled experiment is designed to test whether access to affordable day care (in the form of subsidies, for example) would incentivize Saudi mothers to search actively for employment and to remain employed once they are hired.
Abstract: This pilot aims to better understand the market for childcare in Saudi Arabia – both the supply and demand sides – and to design a randomized controlled experiment to test whether access to affordable day care (in the form of subsidies, for example) would incentivize Saudi mothers to search actively for employment and to remain employed once they are hired. In addition, the study seeks to understand the degree to which employment early on in one’s life impacts employment in later stages. The pilot will provide information on the groups of women the experiment should target, appropriate levels for the childcare subsidy, and the quality and current geographic locations of daycare sites. Expected Impact Determine the effects of facilitating childcare access on Saudi women’s employment. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS  Boston University Patricia Cortes  Harvard University Claudia Goldin  Swarthmore College Jennifer Peck

9,609 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The psychometric properties of the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) were evaluated and it was indicated that the measure was highly reliable, both in terms of internal consistency and test-retest reliability over a 1-year period.
Abstract: In this article I evaluated the psychometric properties of the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3). Using data from prior studies of college students, nurses, teachers, and the elderly, analyses of the reliability, validity, and factor structure of this new version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale were conducted. Results indicated that the measure was highly reliable, both in terms of internal consistency (coefficient alpha ranging from .89 to .94) and test-retest reliability over a 1-year period (r = .73). Convergent validity for the scale was indicated by significant correlations with other measures of loneliness. Construct validity was supported by significant relations with measures of the adequacy of the individual's interpersonal relationships, and by correlations between loneliness and measures of health and well-being. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a model incorporating a global bipolar loneliness factor along with two method factors reflecting direction of item wording provided a very goo...

3,661 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
10 Nov 2001-BMJ
TL;DR: In many randomised trials researchers measure a continuous variable at baseline and again as an outcome assessed at follow up to see whether a treatment can reduce pre-existing levels of pain, anxiety, hypertension, and the like.
Abstract: In many randomised trials researchers measure a continuous variable at baseline and again as an outcome assessed at follow up. Baseline measurements are common in trials of chronic conditions where researchers want to see whether a treatment can reduce pre-existing levels of pain, anxiety, hypertension, and the like. Statistical comparisons in such trials can be made in several ways. Comparison of follow up (post-treatment) scores will give a result such as “at the end of the trial, mean pain scores were 15 mm (95% confidence interval 10 to 20 mm) lower in the treatment group.” Alternatively a change score can be calculated by subtracting the follow up score from the baseline score, leading to a statement such as “pain reductions were 20 mm (16 to 24 mm) greater on treatment than control.” If the average baseline scores are the same in each group the estimated treatment effect will be the same using these two simple approaches. If the treatment is effective the statistical significance of the treatment effect by the two methods will depend on the correlation between baseline and follow up scores. If the correlation is low using the change score will …

1,721 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A new measure of quality of life in dementia, the QOL-AD, is described and seems to be reliable and valid for individuals with MMSE scores greater than 10, and the reliability and validity of patient and caregiver reports of patientquality of life is examined.
Abstract: Objective: This article discusses theoretical, psychometric, and practical considerations of quality of life assessment in older adults with cognitive impairment. It describes a new measure of quality of life in dementia, the QOL-AD, and examines the reliability and validity of patient and caregiver reports of patient quality of life. Methods: Subjects were 177 patient/caregiver dyads. Patient Mini Mental State Exam scores ranged from 0 to 29, with a mean score of 16 (SD 7). Each patient and caregiver rated the patient’s quality of life on the QOL-AD. Patient functional and cognitive status, psychological state, physical function, and behavior problems were also assessed. Reliability and validity of patient QOL-AD reports were examined across three levels of cognitive impairment. Results: One hundred, fifty-five patients were able to complete the QOL-AD. Completers scored between 4 and 29 on the Mini Mental State Exam, whereas noncompleters all scored 10 or lower. Reliability for both patient and caregiver reports on the QOL-AD was good ( values ranged from 0.83 to 0.90). Validity of patient and caregiver reports across cognitive levels was supported by correlation with measures of depression (r 0.41 to 0.65), day-to-day functioning (r 0.10 to 0.45), and pleasant events frequency (r 0.18 to 0.51). Intraclass correlation between patient and caregiver reports was positive across all cognitive levels (r 0.14 to 0.39). Conclusions: The QOL-AD seems to be reliable and valid for individuals with MMSE scores greater than 10. Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between patient and caregiver reports of patient quality of life and to identify factors that influence quality of life throughout the progression of dementia. Key words: quality of life, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, caregivers, patient reports, proxy reports. AD Alzheimer’s disease; ADL activities of daily living; CESD Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (measure); GDS Geriatric Depression Scale; IADL instrumental activities of daily living; ICC intraclass correlation coefficient; MMSE Mini Mental State Exam; MOS Medical Outcomes Studies (36-item short form measure); PES-AD Pleasant Events Schedule–Alzheimer’s Disease; QOL quality of life; QOL-AD Quality of Life–Alzheimer’s Disease (measure); RMBPC Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist; SCB Screen for Caregiver Burden.

1,200 citations