The objective of this project is to conduct research and a pilot study to demonstrate the potential clinical impact and technical feasibility of a socially-assistive robot, called Ryan Companionbot (hereafter Ryan), for life improvement and intervention of persons with early stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD related dementia (ADRD). Earlier phases of this project demonstrated the feasibility and scalability of using emotion recognition technology based on cutting-edge natural language processing and artificial intelligence technologies to improve mood and lessen depression symptoms of persons with early stage AD/ADRD. In this phase, the investigators will utilize an aesthetically pleasing updated Ryan (V2.0) with emotion recognition and natural language processing for enhanced conversations to address the needs of the individuals with AD/ADRD and their healthcare providers as well as to test the effectiveness of Ryan by comparing participants pre- and post-treatment by analyzing several blood biomarkers related to AD/ADRD and depression. The investigators will recruit thirty participants from local senior living facilities based on their cognitive performance as assessed by the Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) score. SLUMS is commonly used as a simple screening/assessment test in senior living facilities. As part of the recruitment, the investigators will show prospective participants a video recording of a previous senior volunteer interacting with Ryan to give new recruits an idea of the socially assistive robot technology.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
18
Participants will interact with a social robot companionbot for a period of 8-10 weeks. The robot will stay in participants' apartments.
Eaton Senior Communities
Lakewood, Colorado, United States
Robot Usage Time
How much time the user spends with the robot
Time frame: 8-10 weeks
Conversation Time
How much time the user spends in conversation with the robot
Time frame: 8-10 weeks
Facial Expression
Facial expressions throughout conversation with robot
Time frame: 8-10 weeks
Sentiment Analysis
Speech is analyzed and is either classified as positive, neutral, or negative.
Time frame: 8-10 weeks
Amyloid-Beta - Alzheimer's disease
Levels of Amyloid-beta will be analyzed from blood collected at time of study. Amyloid-beta peptide is believed to drive Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis and is the main component of amyloid plaques.
Time frame: 8-10 weeks" Blood will be collected once before the robot is dropped off, once during the midpoint of the study, and once at the end of the study.
Phospho-Tau - Alzheimer's disease
Levels of Phospho-tau will be analyzed from blood collected at time of study. In Alzheimer's disease, tau instead of stabilizing microtubules detach from them and form tangles in the neurons.
Time frame: 8-10 weeks" Blood will be collected once before the robot is dropped off, once during the midpoint of the study, and once at the end of the study.
brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) - depression
Levels of BDNF will be analyzed from blood collected at time of study. BDNF is believed to be decreased in patients experiencing depression.
Time frame: 8-10 weeks" Blood will be collected once before the robot is dropped off, once during the midpoint of the study, and once at the end of the study.
serotonin (5-HT) - this is for depression
Levels of Serotonin will be analyzed from blood collected at time of study. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has been linked to depression when depleted.
Time frame: 8-10 weeks" Blood will be collected once before the robot is dropped off, once during the midpoint of the study, and once at the end of the study.
SLUMS score
The SLUMS test is a screening tool for dementia and mild cognitive impairment.
Time frame: The Saint Louis University Mental Status exam will be administered three times during the 8-10 week period. It is a 11 set questionnaire that is scored between 1 and 30 points. A higher score is a better outcome.
PHQ-9
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 is a major depressive disorder screening module.
Time frame: The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 will be administered three times during the 8-10 week period. The score is between 0 and 27. Each questions is scored between "0" (not at all) to "3" (nearly every day). A higher score is a worse outcome.
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