Robotic Pets for Dementia
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
Robotic pets can provide a source of affection and companionship for patients. This is especially important as individuals with dementia may receive infrequent visitation from family members if their families struggle with how to cope and communicate with their loved one. Several options such as the "Joy for All™" and "Paro" robotic pets offer a source of companionship that is both interactive and comforting. Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMHCS) researchers are seeking to make companion pets available to patients with dementia to provide them with a supplemental enrichment experience that enhances their overall care and lowers their risk for superimposed delirium. The intervention will consist of providing a robotic pet to the patient within 48 hours of admission, which the patient will keep with them throughout their hospital stay and upon discharge. SMHCS researchers will evaluate the effects of the robotic pet interaction on patient delirium scores, as measured by the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC), length of stay, and the use of intravenous psychotropic medications, code greys, falls occurrence, restraint use, and IV dislodgement in patients with mild-to-moderate dementia. The Nu-DESC scale is a short assessment tool, estimated to take approximately 3-5 minutes to complete and is already part of standard care at SMHCS. This tool is used by nursing staff with minimal additional training and shows consistent sensitivity (85.7%) and specificity (86.8%) in detecting delirium. The NuDESC score may be positive in a patient with dementia, since some characteristics of dementia can be similar to delirium. However, patients with dementia are at higher risk for developing delirium, so the NuDESC is a helpful tool for the nurse. A score of 2 or higher is considered screening positive for delirium. For this study, the NuDESC tool will be used as a guideline to assist in the screening of delirium. The patients will have to score a 4 or less to be included in the study. Patients that are scoring \>4 will be excluded. Theoretic Framework of Acceptability (TFA) is a questionnaire which will be used to assess health care provider acceptability of the companion animal. This tool is currently not in use at SMHCS, but it will be used as part of this study to assess whether health care providers accept (or reject) the robotic pets as companion animals.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on providing robotic pets to patients with dementia to enhance their care.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Robotic Joy for All™ pet for dementia?
Research shows that using affordable robotic pets like Joy for All™ can improve the quality of life and reduce depression symptoms in older adults with dementia. These pets also help increase interaction, communication, and relaxation, making them a promising option for enhancing well-being in dementia care.12345
How is the Robotic Joy for All™ pet treatment different from other treatments for dementia?
The Robotic Joy for All™ pet treatment is unique because it uses affordable, socially assistive robot pets to improve engagement and psychosocial well-being in people with dementia, unlike traditional treatments that may rely on medication. These robot pets are designed to be used frequently and have shown high acceptability and satisfaction among users and caregivers.26789
Research Team
Joanna D'Elia, MSN, RN, GERO-BC
Principal Investigator
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for patients with mild-to-moderate dementia admitted to the hospital. They must have a delirium score of 4 or less on the Nu-DESC scale, indicating they are not experiencing severe delirium. The study excludes those scoring above 4, as they may be too disoriented.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Participants receive a robotic pet within 48 hours of admission, which they keep throughout their hospital stay and upon discharge
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Robotic Joy for All™ pet
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
Lead Sponsor