## 4 Discussion  
The study found that interactions between older people with mild dementia and robot cats can have significant benefits during roobotherapy interventions, highlighting a preference for group and individual activities with the robot, emphasizing features such as the robot's fur and meow. However, some participants were not fully satisfied with the roobtherapy interventions, feeling that they could be seen as infantilizing the older person through the use of the robot cat. Furthermore, during the interaction with the JFA robot cat they perceived a lack of advanced technological features, expecting more functions. Previous studies, which align with our findings, have demonstrated that roobtherapy provides benefits such as relaxation, improved mood, and reduced symptoms of depression in older adults with dementia [27; 28]. The improvement in mood is associated with the use of robot animals. Interacting with robot cats can evoke positive emotions through petting or touching the robot. This can lead to the release of neurotransmitters such as oxytocin, which has stress-relieving effects and increases pain threshold [29; 30]. The use of robot animals can evoke memories of time spent with pets, improving mood. Other studies have shown that robotic pets can help elicit memories, providing benefits for reminiscence, especially during individual roobotherapy sessions [31; 32]. This aligns with the feedback we gathered from the lived interactions of older adults with mild dementia. The interaction with robot cats in the study demonstrated that older adults can experience a sense of emotional connection and companionship, countering loneliness and isolation. Furthermore, these interactions can stimulate communication and encourage active participation in activities, contributing to overall well-being. By providing responses and behaviors that mimic real animals, robot cats can help older adults feel calmer and more relaxed, fostering a positive environment during roobtherapy sessions. In line with our findings gathered from the experiences of older adults, previous studies have indicated that roobotherapy with robot animals also has positive effects on cognitive training and can increase social interactions among older adults with dementia. Some studies have shown that older adults who participated in group therapy sessions with a robot animal were more likely to interact socially with each other when the robot was present, compared to when they did not interact with the robot [33; 34]. The roobtherapy sessions in this study involved groups of two older adults with dementia, where they interacted with the JFA robot cat. Participants expressed their preferences on how roobtherapy interventions should be implemented, emphasizing theimportance of personalizing activities according to their individual interests and needs. Many highlighted that the sessions should include a variety of activities that promote both social interaction and personal enjoyment, as well as the option to adjust the duration and pace of the sessions to maximize their comfort and engagement. This aligns with findings from several studies suggesting that roobtherapy activities can be tailored to the individual preferences of older adults with dementia. This includes considering the duration and frequency of robot-assisted interventions [35; 36]. Furthermore, some authors suggest that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to roobtherapy, and variations in the types of activities--both individual and group--can exist [16; 37]. The participants in the study had a positive perception of the JFA robot cat, particularly its soft fur, orange color, and meowing sound. It was found that the interactive features of the robot cat were crucial for the success of the roobtherapy sessions. This could explain why robotic pets are more appealing to users compared to non-interactive stuffed animals.