NCT04051918

Robot-assisted Cognitive Training for Lonely Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Robot-Assisted Cognitive Training for Socially Isolated Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Georgia · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study will use a socially assistive robot to deliver cognitive training in the form of a music (piano) learning intervention to socially isolated older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Detailed description

Cognitive training has been shown in past research to improve cognitive function in older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment. Music learning has been previously shown to be a particularly effective form of cognitive training: in addition to the cognitive demands of learning notation, hand positioning, coordination and timing, those who engage in music learning also benefit from emotional connection to the music and social engagement with a music teacher. Not all older adults are able to access music lessons. Older adults who are homebound, live in rural areas and do not have access to reliable transportation (or a monthly income with sufficient funds for recurring payments for lessons) are unlikely to be able to access these benefits. Socially assistive robots that can deliver both education and companionship on an ongoing basis within the home environment may be a viable solution to these limitations. The purpose of this study is to deliver cognitive training in the form of a music (piano) learning intervention to older adults who are socially isolated, and who may be able to benefit from the cognitive training aspects of the intervention. A socially assistive robot will deliver the intervention.

Conditions

• Cognitive Change
• Cognitive Impairment, Mild
• Aging

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Piano Training	Cognitive training via music learning

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-10-07
• Primary completion: 2023-08-31
• Completion: 2023-08-31
• First posted: 2019-08-09
• Last updated: 2022-11-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States