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

Artificial Intelligence and Its Revolutionary Role in Physical and Mental Rehabilitation: A Review of Recent Advancements

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into physical and mental rehabilitation has the potential to significantly transform these fields. AI innovations, including machine learning algorithms, natural language processing, and computer vision, offer occupational therapists advanced tools to improve care quality. These technologies facilitate more precise assessments, the development of tailored intervention plans, more efficient treatment delivery, and enhanced outcome evaluation. This review explores the integration of AI across various aspects of rehabilitation, providing a thorough examination of recent advancements and current applications. It highlights how AI applications, such as natural language processing, computer vision, virtual reality, machine learning, and robotics, are shaping the future of physical and mental recovery in occupational therapy.

The implementation of robotic dogs in automatic detection and surveillance of red imported fire ant nests

BACKGROUND

The Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA), scientifically known as Solenopsis invicta, is a destructive invasive species causing considerable harm to ecosystems and generating substantial economic costs globally. Traditional methods for RIFA nests detection are labor-intensive and may not be scalable to larger field areas. This study aimed to develop an innovative surveillance system that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic dogs to automate the detection and geolocation of RIFA nests, thereby improving monitoring and control strategies.

RESULTS

The designed surveillance system, through integrating the CyberDog robotic platform with a YOLOX AI model, demonstrated RIFA nest detection precision rates of >90%. The YOLOX model was trained on a dataset containing 1118 images and achieved a final precision rate of 0.95, with an inference time of 20.16 ms per image, indicating real-time operational suitability. Field tests revealed that the CyberDog system identified three times more nests than trained human inspectors, with significantly lower rates of missed detections and false positives.

CONCLUSION

The findings underscore the potential of AI-driven robotic systems in advancing pest management. The CyberDog/YOLOX system not only matched human inspectors in speed, but also exceeded them in accuracy and efficiency. This study's results are significant as they highlight how technology can be harnessed to address biological invasions, offering a more effective, ecologically friendly, and scalable solution for RIFA detection. The successful implementation of this system could pave the way for broader applications in environmental monitoring and pest control, ultimately contributing to the preservation of biodiversity and economic stability. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Efficacy of relational agents for loneliness across age groups: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Loneliness is a serious public health concern. Although previous interventions have had some success in mitigating loneliness, the field is in search of novel, more effective, and more scalable solutions. Here, we focus on "relational agents", a form of software agents that are increasingly powered by artificial intelligence and large language models (LLMs). We report on a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the impact of relational agents on loneliness across age groups.

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched 11 databases including Ovid MEDLINE and Embase from inception to Sep 16, 2022. We included randomised controlled trials and non-randomised studies of interventions published in English across all age groups. These loneliness interventions, typically attempt to improve social skills, social support, social interaction, and maladaptive cognitions. Peer-reviewed journal articles, books, book chapters, Master's and PhD theses, or conference papers were eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias via the RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools. We calculated pooled estimates of Hedge's g in a random-effects meta-analysis and conducted sensitivity and sub-group analyses. We evaluated publication bias via funnel plots, Egger's test, and a trim-and-fill algorithm.

FINDINGS

Our search identified 3,935 records of which 14 met eligibility criteria and were included in our meta-analysis. Included studies comprised 286 participants with individual study sample sizes ranging from 4 to 42 participants (x̄ = 20.43, s = 11.58, x̃ = 20). We used a Bonferroni correction with αBonferroni = 0.05 / 4 = 0.0125 and applied Knapp-Hartung adjustments. Relational agents reduced loneliness significantly at an adjusted αBonferroni (g = -0.552; 95% Knapp-Hartung CI, -0.877 to -0.226; P = 0.003), which corresponds to a moderate reduction in loneliness.

CONCLUSION

Our results are currently the most comprehensive of their kind and provide promising evidence for the efficacy of relational agents. Relational agents are a promising technology that can alleviate loneliness in a scalable way and that can be a meaningful complement to other approaches. The advent of LLMs should boost their efficacy, and further research is needed to explore the optimal design and use of relational agents. Future research could also address shortcomings of current results, such as small sample sizes and high risk of bias. Particularly young audiences have been overlooked in past research.

Facilitators and barriers to codesigning social robots with older adults with dementia: a scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Social robots including telepresence robots have emerged as potential support in dementia care. However, the effectiveness of these robots hinges significantly on their design and utility. These elements are often best understood by their end-users. Codesign involves collaborating directly with the end-users of a product during its development process. Engaging people with dementia in the design of social robots ensures that the products cater to their unique requirements, preferences, challenges, and needs. The objective of this scoping review is to understand the facilitators, barriers, and strategies in codesigning social robots with older adults with dementia.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology and will be conducted from November 2023 to April 2024. The steps of search strategy will involve identifying keywords and index terms from CINAHL and PubMed, completing search using identified keywords and index terms across selected databases (Medline, CINAHL, PubMed, AgeLine, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, IEEE, and Google Scholar), and hand-searching the reference lists from chosen literature for additional literature. The grey literature will be searched using Google. Three research assistants will screen the titles and abstracts independently by referring to the inclusion criteria. Three researchers will independently assess the full text of literature following to the inclusion criteria. The data will be presented in a table with narratives that answers the questions of the scoping review.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This scoping review does not require ethics approval because it collects data from publicly available resources. The findings will offer insights to inform future research and development of robots through collaboration with older people with dementia. In addition, the scoping review results will be disseminated through conference presentations and an open-access publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

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

BACKGROUND

Digital assistive technologies (DATs) have emerged as promising tools to support the daily life of people with dementia (PWD). Current research tends to concentrate either on specific categories of DATs or provide a generic view. Therefore, it is of essence to provide a review of different kinds of DATs and how they contribute to improving quality of life (QOL) for PWD.

DESIGN

Scoping review using the framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley and recommendations from Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews.

DATA SOURCES

Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science (January 2013 to May 2023).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

Completed scientific literature with a primary focus on DATs for PWD, perspectives of caregivers, family members or healthcare workers in relation to a PWD, people living in diverse settings and all severities of dementia.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Screening and data extraction were conducted, followed by quantitative and qualitative analyses using thematic analysis principles and Digital Therapeutics Alliance categories for DAT grouping.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 6083 records, with 1056 duplicates. After screening, 4560 full texts were excluded, yielding 122 studies of different designs. The DATs were categorised into digital therapeutics (n=109), patient monitoring (n=30), digital diagnostics (n=2), care support (n=2) and health 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 behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and safety/surveillance.

CONCLUSIONS

Various DATs offer extensive support, elevating the QOL of PWD. Digital therapeutics are predominantly used for ageing-in-place and independent living through assistance with daily tasks. Future research should focus on less-represented digital health technology categories, such as care support, health & wellness or software solutions. Observing ongoing DAT developments and their long-term effects on QOL remains essential.

Nonpharmacological interventions in dementia and diversity of samples: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

A public health priority is the increasing number of people with dementia (PwD), and nonpharmacological interventions (NPIs) might offer support. We sought to synthesize types of NPIs tested among PwD and explore sample characteristics.

METHODS

This study was a scoping literature review. Eligible articles were identified using the search terms "nonpharmacological intervention" and "dementia".

RESULTS

36 articles were included. Psychosocial NPIs were implemented the most (n=24) and music-based interventions were found to be the most effective. Gender, race, and ethnicity were not consistently reported (n=30, n=24, and n=6, respectively). White PwD had higher representation, with only 62.5% of studies including Black participants and 25% including Hispanic/Latino participants. Women made up a majority (>50%) of the sample in a greater number of studies (n=20).

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that future studies need to be intentional about improving diversity of the sample, particularly with respect to including persons identifying as Black or Hispanic/Latino.

The perceptions of university students on technological and ethical risks of using robots in long-term care homes

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted long-term care (LTC) residents and exacerbated residents' risks of social isolation and loneliness. The unmet emotional needs of residents in LTC have driven researchers and decision-makers to consider novel technologies to improve care and quality of life for residents. Ageist stereotypes have contributed to the underuse of technologies by the older population. Telepresence robots have been found to be easy to use and do not require older adults to learn how to operate the robot but are remotely controlled by family members. The study aimed to understand the perspectives of multidisciplinary university students, including healthcare students, on using telepresence robots in LTC homes. The study would contribute to the future planning, implementation, and design of robotics in LTC. Methods: Between December 2021 and March 2022, our team conducted interviews with 15 multidisciplinary students. We employed a qualitative descriptive (QD) approach with semi-structured interview methods. Our study aimed to understand the perspectives of university students (under the age of 40) on using telepresence robots in LTC homes. Participants were invited to spend 15 min remotely driving a telepresence robot prior to the interview. A diverse team of young researchers and older adults (patient and family partners) conducted reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Six themes were identified: Robots as supplementary interaction; privacy, confidentiality, and physical harm; increased mental well-being and opportunities for interactions; intergenerational perspectives add values; staffing capacity; environmental and cultural factors influence acceptance. Conclusion: We identified a diverse range of perspectives regarding risk and privacy among participants regarding the implementation of telepresence robots in long-term care. Participants shared the importance of the voice of the resident and their own for creating more equitable decision-making and advocating for including this type of technology within LTC. Our study would contribute to the future planning, implementation, and design of robotics in LTC.

The Well-Being of Companion Animal Caregivers and Their Companion Animals during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review

It is important to understand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on animal caregivers and their companion animals in order to inform responses to future crises. Prior research is inconsistent, with the benefits of animal companionship believed to be overstated. In this scoping review, we searched four electronic databases and hand-searched reference lists of included studies. Over 4000 citations were found, and 122 were included in the review. Reflecting on the pre-COVID literature, quantitative evidence of the association between psychological well-being and animal companionship during the pandemic was mixed, with numerous positive, negative, and null findings reported. Studies highlighted the benefits of animal companionship during the pandemic, with animals reported to provide their caregivers with a routine, a sense of greater purpose, a positive distraction from COVID-19, companionship, and emotional support. However, participants also reported concerns about meeting animals' needs, fears of animals catching or spreading the virus, and financial worries. Concerns about what would happen to animals if caregivers were hospitalized led some to delay COVID-19 testing or treatment. Animals also experienced benefits (such as increased companionship and calmer mood) and negative impacts (such as increased clinginess and separation anxiety). Companion animals should be a key consideration in emergency preparedness plans.

The impact of protective measures against COVID-19 on the wellbeing of residents in nursing homes and their relatives: a rapid review

During the COVID-19 pandemic and compared to other population groups, older people were at a heightened risk of developing lethal disease symptoms. Thus, many countries put in place protective measures to protect this "at-risk" population, especially in nursing homes, to limit the number of infections. These measures consisted mostly in the absence of social gatherings, the impossibility for relatives to enter the nursing homes, limitations in group activities, and the ban of group-eating. Although these measures were helpful to mitigate the spread of the disease, they also induced long periods of social isolation for the residents of nursing homes. This could have impacted the wellbeing and quality of life of residents and their relatives, with a possible impact on the overall health of residents. We designed this rapid review to investigate the literature on the impact of COVID-19 protective measures in nursing homes on the quality of life, wellbeing and physical health of residents and their relatives. Our results showed that most of the articles included in the review, either using qualitative or quantitative methods, evidenced a detrimental impact of protective measures on resident's and their relatives' wellbeing. We argue that, in the event of a new pandemic similar to the COVID-19, protective measures should also take into account their psychological impact, and not only their physical impact.

A Robotic Companion for Psychological Well-being: A Long-term Investigation of Companionship and Therapeutic Alliance

Social support plays a crucial role in managing and enhancing one's mental health and well-being. In order to explore the role of a robot's companion-like behavior on its therapeutic interventions, we conducted an eight-week-long deployment study with seventy participants to compare the impact of (1) a control robot with only assistant-like skills, (2) a coach-like robot with additional instructive positive psychology interventions, and (3) a companion-like robot that delivered the same interventions in a peer-like and supportive manner. The companion-like robot was shown to be the most effective in building a positive therapeutic alliance with people, enhancing participants' well-being and readiness for change. Our work offers valuable insights into how companion AI agents could further enhance the efficacy of the mental health interventions by strengthening their therapeutic alliance with people for long-term mental health support.

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

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.

Socially assistive robots for people with dementia: Systematic review and meta-analysis of feasibility, acceptability and the effect on cognition, neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life

BACKGROUND

There is increasing interest in using robots to support dementia care but little consensus on the evidence for their use. The aim of the study is to review evidence about feasibility, acceptability and clinical effectiveness of socially assistive robots used for people with dementia.

METHOD

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINHAL, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, and EI Engineering Village from inception to 04 - 02-2022 - included primary studies assessing feasibility, acceptability, or effectiveness of socially assistive robots for people with dementia. Two independent reviewers screened studies for eligibility, and assessed quality. Narrative synthesis prioritized higher quality studies, and random-effect meta-analyses compared robots with usual care (UC) or active control (AC) immediately after the intervention (short-term; ST) or long-term (LT) on cognition, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and quality of life.

FINDINGS

66 studies and four categories of robots were eligible: Companion robots (Pet and humanoid companion robots), telepresence communication robots, homecare assistive robots and multifunctional robots. PARO (companion robot seal) was feasible and acceptable but limited by its weight, cost, and sound. On meta-analysis, PARO had no ST or LT compared to UC or AC over 5-12 weeks on agitation (ST vs UC, 4 trials, 153 participants: pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.25; - 0.57 to 0.06; LT vs UC; 2 trials, 77 participants, SMD = -0.24; - 0.94, 0.46), cognition (ST vs UC, 3 trials, 128 participants: SMD= 0.03; -0.32, 0.38), overall neuropsychiatric symptoms (ST vs UC, 3 trials, 169 participants: SMD= -0.01; -0.32, 0.29; ST vs AC, 2 trials, 145 participants: SMD =0.02, -0.71, 0.85), apathy (ST vs AC, 2 trials, 81 participants: SMD= 0.14; 0.29, 0.58), depression (ST vs UC, 4 trials, 181 participants; SMD= 0.08; -0.52, 0.69; LT vs UC: 2 trials, 77 participants: SMD =0.01; -0.75, 0.77), anxiety (ST vs UC: 2 trials, 104 participants, SMD= 0.24; -0.85, 1.33) and quality of life (ST vs UC, 2 trials, 127 participants: SMD=-0.05; -0.52, 0.42; ST vs AC: 2 trials, 159 participants, SMD =-0.36, -0.76, 0.05). Robotic animals, humanoid companion robots, telepresence robots and multifunctional robots were feasible and acceptable. However, humanoid companion robots have speech recognition problems, and telepresence robots and multifunctional robots were often difficult to use. There was mixed evidence about the feasibility of homecare robots. There was little evidence on any of these robots' effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

Although robots were generally feasible and acceptable, there is no clear evidence that people with dementia derive benefit from robots for cognition, neuropsychiatric symptoms, or quality of life. We recommend that future research should use high quality designs to establish evidence of effectiveness.