Socially Assistive Robots for People Living With Dementia in Long-Term Facilities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Gerontology
Hsieh, C. J., Li, P. S., et al. (2023).
Gerontology, 69(8), 1027-1042.
This systematic review and meta-anaylsis investigates the effects of socially assistive robots (i.e., emotional robots, companion robots, therapeutic robots, robotic pets, social commitment robots) on a variety of outcomes in adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. This summary highlights conclusions regarding cognition, social interaction, and quality of life within the scope of speech-language pathology.
National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences (Taiwan)
From database inception to February 15, 2022
Randomized controlled trials
14 total studies; 9 studies included in the meta-analysis
<div>Five studies investigating the effects of socially assistive robot (SAR) interventions on quality of life in older adults with dementia reported non-significant results (mean difference [MD] = -0.38). The authors note that "SAR intervention is still in the developmental research stage" (p. 1040).</div>
<div>Three studies investigating the effects of socially assistive robot (SAR) interventions on social interaction (e.g., talk/verbal) in older adults with dementia reported significant results (MD = -5.07); however, the authors found substantial heterogeneity (I<sup>2</sup>=74%) across studies. The authors note that "SAR intervention is still in the developmental research stage" (p. 1040).</div>
