Getting the Seal of Approval: A Critical Literature Review of the Evidence for the Use of the PARO Robotic Companion Seal with Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment in Long-Term Care

Abstract

Social isolation and disruptive dementia-related behaviors are common concerns among older adults with cognitive impairment and their caregivers within residential long-term care settings. However, many interventions aiming to improve the quality of life of residents through the reduction of dementia-related behaviors and isolation rely on human contact interventions that often require significant time and resources on behalf of care staff. Robotic companion interventions have recently emerged to meet the growing need for unique, easily implemented interventions for this population. The current literature review examined existing empirical evidence for the use of the PARO seal, one of the leading animal-based robotic interventions currently available, in improving outcomes among older adults in residential long-term care. Seventeen publications that examined the impact of PARO intervention on outcomes specifically related to dementia-related behaviors and social isolation among older adults in long-term care were included in the review. Overall, most studies demonstrated some efficacy of the PARO robot in reducing either dementia-related behaviors (e.g., improvements in irritability/agitation, aggressive behavior, sleep symptoms, and affect) or social isolation. However, findings varied widely, likely due to variations in the application of the intervention, sample characteristics (e.g., range of cognitive impairment, small sample sizes), and methodology (e.g., types of outcome measures used, control group). The current literature generally supports the efficacy of the PARO seal in long-term care. However, further studies are needed to fully parse the extent of its effectiveness while accounting for variability in intervention implementation.

Keywords

• Social Commitment Robot
• Long-Term Care
• Social Isolation
• Dementia-Related Behaviors
• Older Adults
• Cognitive Impairment
• Aging
• Literature Review

References

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