‘Hi Robot!’ – use of a social robot for elderly with dementia: An exploratory study (Preprint)
Authors: Dinesen Birthe , Hansen Helle Kidde , Grønborg Gry Bruun , Dyrvig Anne-Kirstine , Leisted Sofie Dalskov , Stenstrup Henrik , Schacksen Cathrine , Oestergaard Claus 
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

Approximately 50 million people worldwide suffer from dementia. New technological innovations like social robots have been tested, assessing whether they could make a difference for persons living with dementia. Social robots are designed to interact with humans to increase social interaction and improve well-being. A new mobile social robot called LOVOT, manufactured in Japan, has artificial intelligence and sensor technologies built into the robot. LOVOT has not yet been tested among elderly with dementia.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore how the social robot LOVOT interacts with elderly persons with dementia and how healthcare professionals experience working with LOVOT in the professionals’ interaction with elderly persons with dementia.

METHODS

The study took place at three nursing homes in Denmark, all with specialized units for persons with dementia. The interaction between the elderly persons and LOVOT was tested in both individual sessions for 4 weeks and group sessions for 12 weeks. A total of 42 elderly persons were included in the study. 12 persons with dementia were allocated to the individual sessions and 30 persons were allocated to the group sessions. A triangulation of data collection techniques was used: WHO-5 questionnaire, face scale, participant observation and semi-structured focus group interviews with healthcare professionals (n=2).

RESULTS

There were no clinically significant changes in the well-being of the persons with dementia that followed the individual or group sessions over time. Results from the face scale showed that in both the individual and group sessions, the persons with dementia tended to express more positive facial expressions after the sessions. Findings on how the elderly experienced their interaction with LOVOT can be stated like: opens up for communication and interaction; entertainment; creates a breathing space; LOVOT is accepted and creates joy; induces feelings of care; overstimulation of feelings; LOVOT is not accepted; LOVOT is perceived as an animal; LOVOT is perceived as being non-demanding and prevents touch deprivation. Findings on the healthcare professionals’ experiences using LOVOT are: artificial behaviour seems natural; communication tool that can stimulate, create feelings of security, and open up for communication. The social robot as a new tool that can be used in interactions with elderly persons with dementia.

CONCLUSIONS

Persons with dementia accepted the social robot LOVOT, while a few residents were did not accept LOVOT. LOVOT had positive effect, opened up for communication and interaction. LOVOT did not create an effect on social well-being over time, but gave individual persons a respite from everyday life . Some residents were overstimulated by emotions after interacting with LOVOT. Healthcare professionals accepted the social robot and described the artificial behaviour as natural and see LOVOT as a new tool in the work with persons with dementia.