Affordable robots for dementia

Above: Robotic animal “Paro”, which researchers from Griffith University hope to prove cost effective in treating people with dementia. Image sourced from manufacturer: www.parorobots.com

By Natasha Egan

Griffith University researchers are hoping to prove the cost effectiveness of animal robots in the treatment of dementia and build on a previous study which found positive benefits for the patient, if a grant application is successful.

A team at the university’s Griffith Health Institute led by Professor Wendy Moyle found last year that contact with Paro, a robotic seal, lowered anxiety and improved the mood of elderly dementia patients.

Professor Moyle has applied for funding to carry out a thorough evaluation of the Paro involving 400 participants from approximately 30 residential aged care facilities. 

“The Paro has some fantastic benefits for the treatment of dementia patients but so far we do not have a large-scale quantitative evaluation that examines the effect of the Paro on an individual’s emotional state and its cost benefit in reducing pharmacological costs,” said Prof Moyle.

Paro, which was developed by Japanese engineers, costs around $5000 and is already commercially used in several countries.

“With an extended research team, we will be assessing emotional states in participants such as agitation, using measures including video observation and assessment of physiological responses,” said Prof Moyle, who is director of the Research Centre for Clinical and Community Practice Innovation (RCCCPI), a research program in the Griffith Health Institute.

“The statistical evidence that we collect will be used to examine the cost effectiveness of the Paro within care facilities versus the costs of pharmaceutical treatment for people with dementia. 

“If for example, we are able to show that we can reduce psychotropic medication to a patient by 10 per cent by using the Paro or alternatively show that they can stay at home for longer without admission to a care facility, then that would be a fantastic result with direct cost benefits.”

One of the Japanese research scientists behind the robot, Professor Takanori Shibata, said the Paro was gradually gaining more acceptance as a treatment for dementia around the world and he was confident the robot would prove its worth to the Australian market. 

“In 2009, it was certified by the Federal Drug Administration in the US as a medical device and we are hopeful of similar success to come in Australia,” Prof Shibata said.

However, the proposed study is very expensive and won’t go ahead at the planned time if the funding application is not successful, Prof Moyle said. 

The outcome of the grant application will be known later in the year.

Above L to R: Griffith University’s Professor Wendy Moyle, Nancy Greenless with the seal robot and Professor Takanori Shibata 

Strong interest to date

While the funding may be in doubt, Prof Moyle said she didn’t expect it would be difficult to attract individuals and facilities to participate based on previous feedback.

“We’ve had a lot of interest in Paro,” she said. “When family members have seen their relative with dementia interacting with Paro, it’s been very positive.”

Paro can respond to touch, light, voice and temperature and can perceive people and its environment through posture sensors. 

It’s an interesting robotic animal that you can really form quite an attachment with, Prof Moyle said. 

“It engages much more of an emotional response than other robots that we have.”

Prof Moyle said while some people say they don’t like robots because they will replace workers, Paro has had a positive effect on staff too. 

“It’s also about engaging the resident and staff with the robot,” she said.

Staff see the people in a different light when they see someone with dementia who hasn’t been smiling, really laughing with the robot, she said.

“That’s been one of the most positive outcomes for me, seeing staff reaction.”

Prof Moyle has eight of the robotic seals. Each has its own name and the robots respond to their names after a while. 

“We share them amongst a lot of people and they can be washed. They listen to the voice and they learn to respond to individual voices,” Prof Moyle said.

“If you treat them nicely, they will be more comforting.”

However, if you’re not nice, they will respond accordingly, she warned. 

“One woman had the robot turned upside down on her knee and it cried like a baby.”