Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Social Robot by Family Caregivers Nursing for the Older Adult with Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of social robots. When social robots are used by older adults with cognitive impairment, whether the care burden of family caregivers with cognitive impairment decreased, and if there is a change in personal and role strain.Methods: This study conducted a randomized controlled trial to examine the reduction in care burden (role strain, personal strain) of 27 family caregivers under the age of 60 after having older people with cognitive impairment use social robots at home for 6 weeks. For analysis, the Mann-Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were performed using SPSS version 26.Results: The pre-post survey result presented that care burden was not statistically significant but decreased in the experimental group (Z=-0.699, p=.485). Role strain, one of the sub-questions of care burden, presented a statistically significant reduction effect in the experimental group (Z=-2.031, p=.042). However, there was no statistically significant change in personal strain in both groups.Conclusion: The results of this study suggest the necessity of providing information reflecting the needs of family caregivers using social robots. In addition, the results present a way to respond to emergencies utilizing social robots’ monitoring functions and reduce family caregivers’ care burdens by offering services such as counseling and self-help groups. Furthermore, related organizations must educate formal and informal care workers on social robots.