Companion Robotic Pets and Older Adults

Dementia Clinical Trial

Official title: Effect of Companion Robotic Pets on Older Adult Well-Being

Status Recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

This research will assess the effect of companion robotic pets on the wellbeing of older adults and their family caregivers.

Clinical Trial Description

Social robot pets have been shown to have a positive impact on age-related physical, cognitive, emotional, and social challenges that affect independence and quality of life. These "pets" are designed to interact with people as a real pet might. They purr when stroked, make eye contact, have a heartbeat, turn toward a person when touched, are warm, and appear lifelike. Does introduction of such a pet reduce loneliness or promote engagement in older adults with cognitive or physical disability?

This research will determine if:

1. Older adults with disabilities engage with such robotic companions;

2. Placing a robotic pet in a home enhances mood and positive affect in older people;

3. Caregivers to these adults find the robots beneficial for their own mood and time use.

In a single-blind randomized controlled trial over 6-8 weeks, we hypothesize that older adults in the intervention arm will engage with the pets and show benefit in mood as reported by family caregivers. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Caregiver Burden
• Dementia
• Social Behavior

• NCT number: NCT06246734
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University of Pittsburgh
• Contact: Steven M Albert, PhD
• Phone: 412-383-8693
• Email: smalbert@pitt.edu
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: March 3, 2024
• Completion date: December 31, 2024