The effect of intervention using an emotional recognition coaching companion robot on the depressive elderly

Abstract

Purpose: During the COVID-19 pandemic, care for the elderly in the community was greatly limited. Accordingly, the demand for alternative community care can cope with changing situations is increasing. In this study we found that if companion robot improve mood state and related problem in depressive or isolated elderly..Method: For 186 community dwelling elderly who have received social welfare service due to depression or social isolation, we provided companion robot that could support their daily living and allow them enjoying entertainment. And the robot was equipped with special program, helped recognize their own emotion. It was part of behavioral activation techniques which is one of powerful depression treatment. The self-report questionnaire was used to measure changes cognitive function, depression, suicidality, loneliness, resilience and satisfaction of life. Outcomes were measured before using companion robot and after 3 months, and we compared them. Result and Discussion: We was confirmed that the elderly using companion robot improved cognitive function, depression, suicidality and loneliness. After 3 month using robot, cognitive impairment was decreased (45.7% to 30.1%) and depression (p<0.001), suicidality (p<0.001), loneliness (p=0.033) were also decreased. Resilience (p=0.749) and satisfaction of life (p=0.246) were increased but not statistically significant. These results showed that the use companion robot with emotional recognition coaching program could help improve depression, cognitive function, loneliness and suicidality. In particular, this effect was also useful for those who were diagnosed with depression. Also if we can put more techniques of behavioral activation programs into robot, it could be useful in community care for depressive elderly who isolated.

Reference
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Key Words: Behavioral Activation, Emotional recognition, Companion robot, Depression, Elderly
Address: Naju National Hospital, Republic of Korea
Email: heilyoos@gmail.com

Acknowledgement: This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (2022M3E8A1080838)