Background: Dementia rates are increasing worldwide and consequently burden global healthcare resources to a serious degree. However, there is a declining number of caregivers to provide care. It is for this reason that many new technologies, such as socially assistive robots, have been developed because of their potential to support caregivers in promoting the independence of people with dementia. Most of the (socially assistive) robots have so far been tested for people without dementia in mainly laboratory or institutional settings, like nursing homes. Consequently, there is a lack of knowledge about the possible uses of robots from the perspective of those affected by dementia in real-life/care situations (e.g. at home). Testing in a laboratory setting cannot capture the complexity and high variability of everyday situations occurring during the care of persons with dementia. Methods The design is a mixed method intervention study of a refined socially assistive humanoid robot. In total, three people with dementia, three relatives, three dementia trainers and three professional caregivers were included in the study. Quantitative data of technology acceptance were collected using the "Technology Usage Inventory". Qualitative data (main focus: experiences with the robot and handling the robot) were collected by means of observation and qualitative interviews. Movement data of people with dementia were collected by means of the eye camera of the robot. This study helps to further refine and test a socially assistive robot for people with dementia living at home.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
12
Robot Peppers's height is 1.20 meters and it weighs 28 kilograms. Pepper will be called Coach Pepper, because it is connected, via web interfaces, with a theratainment app including cognitive and physical training
Medical University of Graz, Institute of Nursing Science
Graz, Austria
Technology acceptance (all participants): "Technology Usage Inventory"
The questionnaire "Technology Usage Inventory" measures technology acceptance. It captures technology-specific and psychological factors contributing to the use of a technological device. The questionnaire has 8 dimensions (curiosity:4 items, anxiety:4 items, interest:4 items, usability/user-friendliness: 3 items, immersion:4 items, utility:4 items, skepticism:4 items and accessibility:3 items) with 30 items (7-point Likert scale). For every dimension 1- 21 or 28 points can be obtained. For all dimensions, higher levels on the respective dimension indicate a higher level of expression in the respective construct.
Time frame: 1 week
Experience with the robot (all participants)
Qualitative interviews with people with dementia. 1 qualitative focus group interview for all other participants.
Time frame: 1 week
Handling the robot (people with dementia)
Open, 1-hour semi-structured participant observation of people with dementia using the robot at home conducted by nurses.
Time frame: After 3 days of intervention
Change of mobility (people with dementia)
Movement data collected by the eye camera of the robot.
Time frame: 1 week
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