The benefits of and barriers to using a social robot PARO in care settings: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Given the complexity of providing dementia care in hospitals, integrating technology into practice is a high challenge and an important opportunity. Although there are a growing demand and interest in using social robots in a variety of care settings to support dementia care, little is known about the impacts of the robotics and their application in care settings, i.e., what worked, in which situations, and how. METHODS: Scientific databases and Google Scholar were searched to identify publications published since 2000. The inclusion criteria consisted of older people with dementia, care setting, and social robot PARO. RESULTS: A total of 29 papers were included in the review. Content analysis identified 3 key benefits of and 3 barriers to the use of PARO. Main benefits include: reducing negative emotion and behavioral symptoms, improving social engagement, and promoting positive mood and quality of care experience. Key barriers are: cost and workload, infection concerns, and stigma and ethical issues. This review reveals 3 research gaps: (a) the users' needs and experiences remain unexplored, (b) few studies investigate the process of how to use the robot effectively to meet clinical needs, and (c) theory should be used to guide implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Most interventions conducted have been primarily researcher-focused. Future research should pay more attention to the clinical needs of the patient population and develop strategies to overcome barriers to the adoption of PARO in order to maximize patient benefits.

Adopting a Clinical Assessment Framework in Older Adult Mental Health.

Obtaining new knowledge accepted and used by practitioners remains a slow process. A dearth of knowledge translation research exists that explores how to effectively move knowledge to practice in the field of older adult mental health. The current article reports findings of a knowledge translation study that examined what factors enabled the adoption of a new clinical assessment framework, P.I.E.C.E.S.™, into practice in an older adult tertiary mental health unit. Theoretical insights of appreciative inquiry were used to guide the study. Qualitative methods were used, including focus groups with 20 staff and individual interviews with three leaders. The appreciative inquiry approach helped researchers successfully facilitate knowledge translation. Enabling factors included: (a) fostering positive energy to make continuous improvement, (b) working with team members across disciplines at all levels, and (c) using knowledge translation tools to enable and sustain the new practice. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 54 (7), 26-31.].

Exploring the perceptions of people with dementia about the social robot PARO in a hospital setting.

New technology, such as social robots, opens up new opportunities in hospital settings. PARO, a robotic pet seal, was designed to provide emotional and social support for older people with dementia. We applied video-ethnographic methods, including conversational interviews and observations with video recording among 10 patient participants while they were using the robot. We also conducted semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups with nursing staff to gain contextual information. Patient and family partners were actively involved in the study as co-researchers. This study reports our findings on the perceptions of 10 patients with dementia about their experiences with PARO in a hospital setting. Thematic analysis yielded three substantive themes: (a) 'it's like a buddy' - the robot helps people with dementia uphold a sense of self in the world, (b) 'it's a conversation piece' - the baby seal facilitates social connection and (c) 'it makes me happy' - PARO transforms and humanizes the clinical setting. Our findings help provide a better understanding of the perspectives of patients with dementia on the use of social robots.

Feasibility and acceptability of an iPad intervention to support dementia care in the hospital setting.

BACKGROUND: Staying in the hospital can be a very stressful experience for older people with dementia. A familiar face and reassuring voice of a family member or friend can offer a sense of safety and comfort. AIMS: To explore the feasibility and acceptability of using an iPad Simulated Presence Therapy intervention with hospitalized older people with dementia. DESIGN: We used a mixed-method design, incorporated video-ethnographic methods, video-recorded observations, and staff interviews. METHODS: Four people with dementia from an older adult mental health hospital unit in British Columbia, Canada participated in two weeks of iPad Simulated Presence Therapy intervention. The intervention involved the older person watching a one-minute video prepared by their family prior to receiving care. The video included a reassuring, comforting and supportive message to be played to the older adult with dementia while staff perform a specific care task. The care interactions with the iPad intervention were video-recorded. Staff interviews were conducted to elicit perceived enabling factors and barriers to use the iPad intervention in their practice. Using an inductive and deductive approach, we applied a qualitative thematic analysis to identify themes in our data set. RESULTS: We identified four themes: (a) positive responses, (b) person-centred care, (c) video content, and (d) technical skills. CONCLUSION: The iPad delivered Simulated Presence Therapy is an acceptable and feasible means of supporting the care of older people with dementia in the hospital setting. Considerations for future research and clinical practice are presented.