NCT06246734

Companion Robotic Pets and Older Adults

Effect of Companion Robotic Pets on Older Adult Well-Being

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 53 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This research will assess the effect of companion robotic pets on the wellbeing of older adults and their family caregivers.

Detailed description

Social robot pets have been shown to have a positive impact on age-related physical, cognitive, emotional, and social challenges that affect independence and quality of life. These "pets" are designed to interact with people as a real pet might. They purr when stroked, make eye contact, have a heartbeat, turn toward a person when touched, are warm, and appear lifelike. Does introduction of such a pet reduce loneliness or promote engagement in older adults with cognitive or physical disability? This research will determine if: 1. Older adults with disabilities engage with such robotic companions; 2. Placing a robotic pet in a home enhances mood and positive affect in older people; 3. Caregivers to these adults find the robots beneficial for their own mood and time use. In a single-blind randomized controlled trial over 6-8 weeks, we hypothesize that older adults in the intervention arm will engage with the pets and show benefit in mood as reported by family caregivers.

Conditions

• Dementia
• Social Behavior
• Caregiver Burden

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Hasbro Joy for All robot pet companion	The robot pets are stuffed animals (dogs and cats) that have features that make them seem lifelike. For example, the animal toys turn their heads when petted, purr or make puppy sounds, feel warm, have a heartbeat, and go to sleep when they are ignored. They respond to attention and petting like a real pet. The robot pets do not collect information and do not require any maintenance, except a battery. Engagement with the device is at the discretion of participants.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-03-03
• Primary completion: 2024-10-31
• Completion: 2024-12-31
• First posted: 2024-02-07
• Last updated: 2025-01-09

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States