Evaluation of a companion robot for individuals with dementia: Quantitative findings of the MARIO project in an irish residential care setting

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Barrett, Eva
Burke, Megan
Whelan, Sally
Santorelli, Adam
Oliveira, Barbara Luz
Cavallo, Filippo
Droes, Rose-Marie
Hopper, Louise
Fawcett-Henesy, Ainna
Meiland, Franka JM
Mountain, Gail
Moyle, Wendy
Raciti, Massimiliano
Pegman, Geoff
Teare, Aimee
Sancarlo, Daniele
Riccardi, Francesco
D'Onofrio, Grazia
Giuliani, Francesco
Russo, Alessandro
Bleaden, Andy
Greco, Antonio
Casey, Dympna
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2019
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Abstract

The current study focuses on the short-term effect of MARIO, a social robot, on quality of life, depression, and perceived social support in persons with dementia (PWD) and evaluates their acceptability of MARIO. Ten PWD in one nursing home took part in a 4-week pilot study, where each participant had up to 12 sessions with MARIO. Sessions comprised engagement in music, news, reminiscence, games, and calendar applications. Standardized questionnaires were administered before and after the 4-week period. Participants had a sustained interest in MARIO during their interactions and an acceptance of MARIO's appearance, sound, and applications. Consequently, participants spent more time socially engaged. No statistically significant differences were found in quality of life, depression, and perceived social support. PWD can engage with a social robot in a real-world nursing home. Future research should incorporate a larger sample and longer intervention period.

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Journal of Gerontological Nursing

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47

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7

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Nursing

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