The Impact of Robotic Companion Pets on Depression and Loneliness for Older Adults with Dementia During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Fogelson, Donna M; Rutledge, Carolyn; Zimbro, Kathie S.

doi:10.1177/08980101211064605

Cited by 21 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The topic of engagement and social interaction was highlighted in 64 studies. They differentiated between cases where DATs increased social interaction [20], [28], [29], [34], [35], [38], [41], [45], [54], [59], [64], [70], [72], [80], [82], [83], [85], [100], [102], [112], [113], [123], [129], [131], [133], [134] and fostered higher engagement (i.e., in therapy settings) [23], [26], [29], [34], [36]–[38], [40]–[42], [45], [53]–[55], [57], [60], [62], [63], [66]–[68], [70], [73], [76]–[79], [84], [85], [87], [88], [90], [91], [96], [100], [109], [112], [114], [116], [118], [122], [127], [130], [131], [133], [135], [136], [138], [139], [141].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are 12 behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), which include aberrant motor behavior, agitation, anxiety, apathy, appetite changes, delusions, depression, disinhibition, elation/euphoria, hallucinations, irritability, and sleep changes [142]. Different BPSD symptoms were shown to be managed by DATs in 64 studies through digital therapeutics [23], [24], [26]–[30], [34]–[36], [38], [40]–[45], [47], [48], [51], [52], [57], [61]–[63], [65], [67], [69]–[79], [84], [85], [88], [90], [91], [93], [95], [98], [99], [102], [104], [115], [116], [123], [125]–[129], [133]–[136], [139], [140] or by patient monitoring devices [30], [34], [36], [63], [76], [95], [115]. All the DATS were reported to have a positive effect on BPSD.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Impact of digital assistive technologies on the quality of life for people with dementia: A scoping review

Schneider,

Nißen,

Kowatsch

et al. 2023

Preprint

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BackgroundDigital assistive technologies (DATs) have emerged as promising tools to support the daily life of people with dementia (PWD) by offering support in various aspects of daily life. Quality of life (QOL) is an important consideration when discussing the care of PWD in relation to their autonomy. Current research tends to concentrate either on specific categories of DATs, or provide a generic view. Therefore, it would be of essence to provide a review of the different kinds of DATs, and how they contribute to improving QOL for PWD.ObjectiveThis scoping review aimed to review DATs and their impact on QOL for PWD.MethodFor this scoping review a broad literature search was performed in Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, covering scientific literature from January 2013 and May 2023. Screening and data extraction were conducted, followed by quantitative and qualitative analysis using thematic analysis principles and Digital Therapeutics (DTx) Alliance categories for DAT grouping.ResultsThe literature search identified 6’083 records, with 1’056 duplicates. After screening, 4’560 full-texts were excluded, yielding 122 studies of different designs. The DATs were categorized intodigital therapeutics(n=109),patient monitoring(n=30),digital diagnostics(n=2),care support(n=2), andhealth system clinical software (n=1). These categories were identified to impact various aspects of QOL: preserving autonomy, engagement, and social interaction, health monitoring and promotion, improving activities of daily living, improving cognition, maintaining dignity, managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), and safety/surveillance.ConclusionsVarious DATs offer extensive support, elevating the QOL of PWD.Digital therapeuticsare predominantly used for aging-in-place and independent living through assistance with daily tasks. Future research should focus on less-represented DHT categories, such ascare support, health & wellnessorsoftwaresolutions. Observing ongoing DAT developments and their long-term effects on QOL remains essential.Strengths and limitations of this studyThe study conducted an extensive search across five electronic databases spanning a decade to identify relevant literature on DATs and their impact on the QOL for PWD.By excluding conference proceedings, book chapters, pilot, and feasibility studies, the review might have missed ongoing or planned research that could offer insights into different DATs or QOL impacts.While the scoping review approach allowed for a broad overview, it didn’t assess the quality of included studies or intervention effectiveness, potentially introducing bias and limiting in-depth analysis.The study’s emphasis on patient-facing DATs could have introduced bias, highlightingdigital therapeuticsin the included literature while potentially overlooking other assistive technology categories.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of digital assistive technologies on the quality of life for people with dementia: A scoping review

Schneider,

Nißen,

Kowatsch

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…We found only four studies that implemented interventions during the pandemic, three of which were conducted remotely, one by videoconference 109 and two by phone 143,145 . The fourth study was conducted in‐person in a residential care setting 142 . The interventions implemented in a pandemic context yielded improvements in depressive symptoms 109,142,143 and feelings of loneliness 109,142,143,145 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…109,142,143,145 One of the studies looked at the outcomes of a robotic pet intervention in older adults with mild to moderate dementia living in residential care, and experiences of family members and professional caregivers were also examined. 142 Family members and professional caregivers reported the positive impact of robotic pets on participants' well-being, especially during the most restrictive period of COVID-19. Depression (p < 0.001) and loneliness ( p < 0.001) also significantly improved.…”

Section: Interventions Implemented To Decrease Depressive Symptomsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depression in older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A systematic review

Silva

Fonseca

Ferreira

et al. 2023

J American Geriatrics Society

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Background Depression affected 5.7% of people aged 60 years and over prior to the pandemic and has increased by approximately 28%. The aim of this study is to identify and describe factors associated with depressive symptoms, the diagnostic assessment instruments and interventions used to evaluate and treat depression in adults aged 60 years and older since the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods Four electronic databases were systematically searched to identify eligible studies published since the beginning of the COVID‐19 pandemic. A total of 832 articles were screened, of which 53 met the inclusion criteria. Results Factors contributing to depressive symptoms in older adults prior to the pandemic were grouped into the following categories: sociodemographic characteristics (i.e., being female); loneliness and weak social support; limitations in daily functioning, physical activity and neurocognitive impairment; and clinical factors. The following groups of factors directly related to the pandemic were found: stress‐related factors and feelings or worries related to the pandemic; information access (e.g., receiving news about COVID‐19 through the media); factors directly related to COVID‐19 (e.g., having infected acquaintances); and factors related to the measures that were taken to reduce the spread of COVID‐19 (e.g., confinement measures). The most frequently used instrument to assess depressive symptoms was the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (GDS‐SF). Four studies implemented interventions during the pandemic that led to significant reductions in depressive symptoms and feelings of loneliness. Conclusions Improved understanding of pandemic‐associated risk factors for depression can inform person‐cantered care. It is important continued mental healthcare for depression for older adults throughout crises, such as the COVID‐19 pandemic. Remote delivery of mental healthcare represents an important alternative during such times. It is crucial to address depression in older adults (which often causes disability), since the pandemic situation has increased depressive symptoms in this population.

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“…Increasing technological applications have been developed and evaluated as to whether they relieve care burden [ 15 ]. For example, robotic companion pets may benefit the well-being and quality of life in patients with dementia, especially during stringent COVID-19 restrictions and social isolation [ 16 ]. Night-Time Monitoring System (eNightLog) showed to be a promising alternative method compared with traditional physical restraints.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Survey of Mobile Apps for the Care Management of Patients with Dementia

Kuo

Chang

2022

Healthcare

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Objective: Dementia is a progressive neurocognitive disorder that currently affects approximately 50 million people globally and causes a heavy burden for their families and societies. This study analyzed mobile apps for dementia care in different languages and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Collaboration Central Register of Con-trolled Clinical Trials, Cochrane Systematic Reviews, Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and Huawei App Store for mobile applications for dementia care. The Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) was used to assess the quality of applications. Results: We included 99 apps for dementia care. No significant difference in MARS scores was noted between the two language apps (Overall MARS: English: 3.576 ± 0.580, Chinese: 3.569 ± 0.746, p = 0.962). In the subscale analysis, English apps had higher scores of perceived impact than Chinese apps but these were not significant (2.654 ± 1.372 vs. 2.000 ± 1.057, p = 0.061). (2) Applications during the COVID-19 pandemic had higher MARS scores than those before the COVID-19 pandemic but these were not significant (during the COVID-19 pandemic: 3.722 ± 0.416; before: 3.699 ± 0.615, p = 0.299). In the sub-scale analysis, apps during the COVID-19 pandemic had higher scores of engagement than apps before the COVID-19 pandemic but these were not significant (3.117 ± 0.594 vs. 2.698 ± 0.716, p = 0.068). Conclusions: Our results revealed that there is a minor but nonsignificant difference between different languages and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further cooperation among dementia professionals, technology experts, and caregivers is warranted to provide evidence-based and user-friendly information to meet the needs of users.

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The Impact of Robotic Companion Pets on Depression and Loneliness for Older Adults with Dementia During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cited by 21 publications

References 34 publications

Impact of digital assistive technologies on the quality of life for people with dementia: A scoping review

Impact of digital assistive technologies on the quality of life for people with dementia: A scoping review

Depression in older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A systematic review

A Survey of Mobile Apps for the Care Management of Patients with Dementia

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