The effects of robot therapy in the elderly facilities

Abstract

Interaction with animals has been known to be emotionally beneficial to people, and applied to medical treatment. However, many hospitals and nursing homes, especially in Japan, do not accept animals because of negative effects, such as allergy, infection, bites, and scratches. We developed a seal-type mental commitment robot, named Paro. The purpose of designing Paro is not only as substitute of pets but also for robot therapy. We have conducted one year experiment and a long-term experiment in elderly institutions to investigate the effects of robot therapy. In the one year experiment at a care house, there were 12 subjects, aged 67-89 years. Their mental cognitive states were assessed by the Mini Mental Status Examination, and scores ranged from 15 to 29. We observed subjects' social interaction with each other and with Paro by recording the activities of the subjects spent in the public areas. In addition, we measured the hormones 17-OHCS and 17-KS-S in the urine of the subjects as a means of measuring stress. In the long-term experiment (five years case study) at a health service facility, there were 14 subjects, aged from 77 to 98. Their dementia levels were as follows: non-dementia: 1 person, slightly degree: 4 people, middle degree: 5 people and a little high degree: 3 people. We observed interaction between the subjects and Paro, and conducted face scales which was used to evaluate subjects' mood. In the one year experiment, the results showed that Paro encouraged subjects to communicate with each other and strengthen their individual social ties. Furthermore, the results of urinary tests obtained from 9 subjects showed the improvement of reactions of their vital organs to stress. In the long-term experiment, the results showed that feelings of the elderly people were improved by interaction with Paro, and the effects showed up over the five years. From our research, we found the improvement of elderly people's communication and social ties, stress, and long term effect of mood improvement. We expect mental commitment robot “Paro” will be widely used in elderly institutions, and improve their quality of life.