Robotic pets could provide support in therapy sessions with patients suffering from dementia, research finds.
In a paper published in the Canadian Journal of Recreation Therapy, University of Utah researcher Rhonda Nelson and graduate student Rebecca Westenskow describe a new protocol for using robotic pets with older adults with dementia. The protocol uses a low-cost robotic pet, establishes ideal session lengths, and identifies common participant responses to the pets to aid in future research.
The animals used in the sessions are robotic pets with synthetic fur and programmed movements and sounds. The robots are able to recreate the feeling of holding live animals while also avoiding their unpredictability.
“Our protocol had questions like: Would you like to scratch the dog behind his ears? Would you like to pet him? Would you like to brush him?” said Nelson, an assistant professor in the Department of Occupational and Recreational Therapies. “And...