Robotic Pets for Dementia

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Sarasota Memorial Health Care System

Disqualifiers: Under 65, High NuDESC, Withdrawal, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if robotic pets can help people with dementia feel more comfortable and less lonely during hospital stays. Researchers seek to discover if these pets can reduce confusion and the need for certain medications, while also improving patients' overall hospital experiences. Participants receive a Robotic Joy for All™ pet to keep during and after their hospital stay, and their experiences are compared to those who receive standard care without a pet. The trial seeks patients with dementia who are staying in specific hospital units and have a certain score on an assessment for confusion. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative ways to enhance patient comfort and well-being.

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 prior data suggests that these robotic pets are safe for patients with dementia?

Research has shown that robotic companion pets are generally safe for people with dementia. Studies have found that these pets can help reduce feelings of loneliness and agitation without causing harm. They provide a comforting and interactive experience that many patients enjoy.

Reports have not identified any serious negative effects from using these robotic pets. Instead, individuals with dementia often find them calming and well-received. These pets are designed to offer companionship and emotional support, similar to a real pet, but without unpredictability.

In summary, robotic pets like the "Joy for All™" are considered safe and can be a helpful addition to the care of people with dementia. They offer comfort and companionship, helping to improve overall well-being. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike traditional treatments for dementia, which often involve medications like cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine to manage symptoms, the Robotic Joy for All™ pet offers a completely different approach. This robotic pet provides companionship, which can help reduce feelings of loneliness and improve emotional well-being without the need for drugs. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it uses interaction and engagement to potentially enhance quality of life for dementia patients, offering a non-pharmacological alternative that could work alongside existing care strategies.

What evidence suggests that robotic pets are effective for dementia?

Research has shown that robotic pets like the Joy for All™ can help people with dementia by reducing anxiety and lifting their mood. In this trial, participants in the intervention group will receive the robotic Joy for All™ pet. Studies have found that these pets can also reduce feelings of loneliness and improve overall well-being. They engage people and might even aid memory and thinking skills. Additionally, robotic pets can boost social motivation and offer comfort and companionship. Overall, evidence suggests that robotic pets can positively enhance dementia care, potentially improving patients' quality of life. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Joanna D'Elia, MSN, RN, GERO-BC

Principal Investigator

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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

Patients with dementia indicated in the patient's chart

Patients admitted to the designated medical-surgical units at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System

I am 65 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients at risk for alcohol withdrawal or substance abuse withdrawal

I experience paranoia, hallucinations, or severe agitation.

NuDESC score greater than 4 during study enrollment

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive a robotic pet within 48 hours of admission, which they keep throughout their hospital stay and upon discharge

Up to 60 days

Continuous monitoring during hospital stay

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Robotic Joy for All™ pet

Trial Overview The trial tests if robotic pets can improve care for dementia patients by reducing delirium, medication use, and negative incidents like falls. Patients receive a robotic pet upon admission to keep during their stay and take home.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Robotic Pet Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The intervention group will receive the robotic Joy for All™ pet.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Control group will receive the current standard of care, no robotic pet.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System

Lead Sponsor

Trials

5

Recruited

770+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9629053/

The Impact of Robotic Companion Pets on Depression and ... Findings: Results indicated depression (χ2F(2) = 21.29, p < 0.001) and loneliness (χ2F(2) = 21.11, p < 0.001) improved. Moreover, participants were engaged with ...

2. agelessinnovation.com agelessinnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Joy-for-All_Impact-and-Benefit.pdf

Impact and Benefit The pets aim to address loneliness and dementia, showing reduced anxiety, improved well-being, and potentially improved cognition, including memory and ...

3. careyaya.org careyaya.org/resources/blog/robotic-pets-for-dementia-therapy

How Robotic Companion Pets Are Making a Therapeutic ... Robotic pets reduce anxiety, improve mood, decrease pain medication, increase social motivation, and provide comfort and companionship for dementia patients.

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8082946/

Impacts of Low-cost Robotic Pets for Older Adults and ... Low-cost robotic pets show positive impacts on mood, communication, and companionship, but concerns include misperceptions, ethical issues, and hygiene. They ...

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/figure/Joy-for-All-companion-pet-selections_fig1_343656385

Joy for All companion pet selections. Social robots, including robotic pets, have had positive impacts on older adults and people with dementia by providing companionship, improving mood, reducing ...

6. agelessinnovation.com agelessinnovation.com/healthcare/

Healthcare Ageless Innovation uses robotic pets to improve healthcare by reducing social isolation, loneliness, and cognitive decline, and improve quality of life.

7. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1052889/full

The ethics of pet robots in dementia care settings Explore care professionals' and organisational leaders' ethical intuitions before and when implementing pet robots in nursing homes for routine dementia care.

8. aarp.org aarp.org/caregiving/basics/robotic-companion-animals/

Studies Show Robotic Pets Help Older Adults Thrive Studies show benefits of robotic pets for loved ones with dementia, loneliness. Animatronic companions provide comfort, ease stress and agitation.