Lounging with robots--social spaces of residents in care: A comparison trial.

Authors :: Peri K
Kerse N
Broadbent E
Jayawardena C
Kuo T
Datta C
Stafford R
MacDonald B
Source :: Australasian journal on ageing [Australas J Ageing] 2016 Mar; Vol. 35 (1), pp. E1-6. Date of Electronic Publication: 2015 Dec 02.
Publication Year :: 2016
Abstract: Aims: To investigate whether robots could reduce resident sleeping and stimulate activity in the lounges of an older persons' care facility.<br />Methods: Non-randomised controlled trial over a 12-week period. The intervention involved situating robots in low-level and high-dependency ward lounges and a comparison with similar lounges without robots. A time sampling observation method was utilised to observe resident behaviour, including sleep and activities over periods of time, to compare interactions in robot and no robot lounges.<br />Results: The use of robots was modest; overall 13% of residents in robot lounges used the robot. Utilisation was higher in the low-level care lounges; on average, 23% used the robot, whereas in high-level care lounges, the television being on was the strongest predictor of sleep.<br />Conclusion: This study found that having robots in lounges was mostly a positive experience. The amount of time residents slept during the day was significantly less in low-level care lounges that had a robot.<br /> (© 2015 AJA Inc.)