Exploring Use of Companion Robot Pets for Older Adults in Care Homes

Exploring Use of Companion Robot Pets for Older Adults in Care Homes, an 8-month Stepped-wedge, Cluster Randomised Control Trial.

This study will assess the use and impact of the affordable 'Joy for All' robot pets for older people with and without dementia living in the care homes in South West England. Robot pets such as Paro have shown potential in improving wellbeing (including reduced agitation, loneliness, medication use, anxiety and depression), however previous work conducted by the investigators suggests Paro is less acceptable to older adults than alternative devices; the Joy for All cat and dog. Paro is also much more expensive (£5000 compared to £100) limiting its use within the real world, and limiting the number of people able to benefit. The investigators therefore wish to explore the potential of these more affordable robots in achieving wellbeing benefits.

This study will be an eight month stepped-wedge, cluster randomised control trial exploring the use and impact of 'Joy for All' robot pets with older people living in care homes in South West England. Participants will include individuals with and without dementia. The study aims to: See if affordable robot pets lead to improved wellbeing and are robust and engaging over 4-8 months in care homes and nursing homes. Identify under what circumstances, for which care home residents, and with what impact the robot pets are used. The wellbeing outcomes to be explored include; neuropsychiatric symptoms, challenging behaviour, communication and loneliness. Additional outcomes include monitoring of medication use, 1:1 care applications, and maintenance of a usage chart. Qualitative data will also be collected through reflective diaries maintained by care staff, and interviews following completion of the study. The study will include residents of eight care homes, which will be stratified into two clusters based on size and dementia service. The two clusters will then be randomised to immediate start (and receive robot animals immediately), or delayed start (and receive robot animals after four months). This provides a period of control. The sample size is primarily informed by feasibility, and the number of residents in each home likely to participate. In total there are approximately 190 residents of which the investigators estimate 100 across the 8 homes will give consent and interact with the robots. If 70% residents (across both arms and over the whole study) benefit from interacting with the robots the 95% confidence interval is 61-79%. This is of sufficient precision. Measures will be completed at baseline, 4 months and 8 months. Interviews will be conducted at 8 months, and analysed alongside reflective diary entries. This study should provide understanding of the potential for these more affordable robot pets in improving wellbeing for older people, and insight into their use and implementation.

Dementia, Social robots, Companion robots, Robot pets, Wellbeing, Older adults, Long-term care, Residential care

This cluster of four homes will receive robot animals immediately at commencement of the eight month trial.

This cluster of four homes will receive robot animals four months after commencement of the 8 month trial. The four months without robots will serve as a control period.

Will be used to assess any changes in neuropsychiatric symptoms of care home residents. For each domain, there are four scores; frequency (0-4, with higher scores being most frequent), severity (0-3, with higher scores being most severe), total score (frequency x severity), and caregiver distress (0-5, higher scores signal more distress)

Will be used to assess any changes in challenging behaviour exhibited by care home residents. Scores range from 0-400, with higher scores indicating more challenging behaviours.

Will be used to assess any changes in feelings of loneliness among care home residents. This outcome is measures with 3-items, scores range from 0-12, with higher scores indicating most loneliness.

Will be used to assess any changes in communication of care home residents. Scores range from 0-48, with higher scores indicating more communication difficulties.

Medication charts will be reviewed to assess any changes in medication use, particularly anti-depressant or anti-psychotic or 'pro re nata' or PRN medications to alleviate mood or distress.

Will be reviewed for the 4 weeks prior to study commencement, 4 weeks prior to 4 month post study commencement and the 4 weeks prior to study completion at 8 months

Will be reviewed for the 4 weeks prior to study commencement, 4 weeks prior to 4 month post study commencement and the 4 weeks prior to study completion at 8 months

Review of diaries, staff interviews and staff summative review will allow qualitative assessment of impact that may have been missed on selected quantitative scales

Dairies will be maintained during intervention phases (8 months for cluster 1, 4 months for cluster 2), interviews and summative review will be conducted at 8 months

Inclusion Criteria: Any resident at a collaborating care home or nursing home that has consent to participate. Exclusion Criteria: Any resident at a collaborating home without consent to participate.

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Bradwell H, Edwards KJ, Winnington R, Thill S, Allgar V, Jones RB. Implementing Affordable Socially Assistive Pet Robots in Care Homes Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Stratified Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial and Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Aging. 2022 Aug 24;5(3):e38864. doi: 10.2196/38864.