Use of Socially Assistive Robots for Long Term Care Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment and Apathy

Phase

1/2

Condition

Memory Loss

Mental Disability

Dementia

Treatment

Socially Assistive Robot Activity

Clinical Study ID

NCT05178992

210386

R01AG062685

Ages > 60
All Genders

Study Summary

The objective of this study is to demonstrate the impact of a socially assistive robot system on reducing apathy among cognitively impaired older adults residing in long term care facilities. Earlier phases of this project demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of the robotic system. First, investigators will improve the social robotic interaction architecture through additional software development, enhance its versatility, and make it easy for non-experts to run. Second, 188 participants will be randomized to either usual activity programs at the long term care facility, or the usual activity programs plus the robotic activities. Researchers will examine the effect on apathy and also plan on examining underlying individual and facility factors that influence the impact of the robotic activities.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

Residing >3 months in long term care facility
Evidence of mild cognitive impairment (SAGE score 15-16), mild dementia (SAGE score <15, AD8<2, DSRD<19), or moderate dementia (SAGE <15, AD8>1, DSRD 19-36)
Symptoms of apathy (Score 30+ on AES-C)

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

Severe cognitive impairment
Physically unable to participate
Unable to provide assent
Uncorrected vision or hearing
Never spoke English
Unable to sit comfortably in chair
Acutely ill, terminally ill or unresponsive
Unable to be moved to activity location
Aggressive or combative

Study Design