Abstract
This trial represents the final stage of the CARESSES project which aimed to develop and evaluate a culturally competent artificial intelligent system embedded into social robots to support older adult wellbeing. A parallel group, single-blind randomised controlled trial was conducted across older adult care homes in England and Japan. Participants randomly allocated to the Experimental Group or Control Group 1 received a Pepper robot for up 18 h across 2 weeks. Two versions of the CARESSES artificial intelligence were tested: a fully culturally competent system (Experimental Group) and a more limited version (Control Group 1). Control Group 2 (Care As Usual) participants did not receive a robot. Quantitative outcomes of interest reported in the current paper were health-related quality of life (SF-36), loneliness (ULS-8), and perceptions of robotic cultural competence (CCATool-Robotics). Thirty-three residents completed all procedures. The difference in SF-36 Emotional Wellbeing scores between Experimental Group and Care As Usual participants over time was significant (F[1] = 6.614, sig = .019, ηp2 = .258), as was the comparison between Any Robot used and Care As Usual (F[1] = 5.128, sig = .031, ηp2 = .146). There were no significant changes in SF-36 physical health subscales. ULS-8 loneliness scores slightly improved among Experimental and Control Group 1 participants compared to Care As Usual participants, but this was not significant. This study brings new evidence which cautiously supports the value of culturally competent socially assistive robots in improving the psychological wellbeing of older adults residing in care settings.
Highlights
Health and social care sectors worldwide are facing rising pressures due to increased demand associated with aging populations, the many complex chronic conditions associated with this population, and the impact of Covid-19
The current paper presents the trial’s quantitative results in relation to the intervention’s impact upon health-related quality of life, mental health and loneliness, when culturally competent socially assistive robots are used to supplement existing older adult care in long-term residential care settings
While the findings are nuanced and are the product of an exploratory trial with several limitations, overall, the results cautiously provide further evidence in support of socially assistive robots being used to support older adults in care settings in a supplementary way, in relation to mental health and emotional wellbeing
Summary
Health and social care sectors worldwide are facing rising pressures due to increased demand associated with aging populations, the many complex chronic conditions associated with this population, and the impact of Covid-19. The evidence regarding the impact of assistive robotics for older adults with care needs is emerging and, in relation to psychological wellbeing, appears encouraging. Al-Hindawi, Ng, and Vizcaychipi’s [1] scoping review of socially assistive robots (SARs) within older adult healthcare settings assessed a range of outcomes from 33 studies,. Twenty-eight of these studies reported positive outcomes in relation to assisting older adults with cognitive training, companionship, social facilitation and physiological therapy. The authors conclude that while the evidence for SARs is promising, many studies had methodological issues and most only focused upon small robots, in particular the PARO seal robot
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