Social Robots for Supporting Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment

Trauma-informed care approach in developing companion robots: a preliminary observational study

Introduction

This study explores the integration of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) principles into the development of companion robots for elderly trauma survivors, particularly those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The psychological effects of trauma, especially in aging populations, can complicate mental and physical health, highlighting the need for tailored technological solutions.

Methods

The research involved two focus groups with Holocaust survivors (N = 12) who engaged directly with a social robot. Discussions explored their needs, barriers, and coping strategies based on their longitudinal experiences of trauma, resilience, and aging. Transcripts were thematically analyzed, identifying key TIC-related themes-safety, trust, self-compassion, and self-efficacy-in relation to engagement with companion robots.

Results

Findings revealed that trauma survivors face significant challenges in communication and technology use. Safe and trusting environments were fundamental for meaningful engagement with robots. Self-compassion and self-efficacy emerged as essential to overcoming initial barriers, indicating that TIC-informed design features could facilitate better uptake and acceptance.

Discussion

The study emphasizes the importance of incorporating TIC principles to ensure these robots meet the complex needs of trauma survivors. Findings also underscore the personal histories, ongoing changes in recollecting the trauma, and the need for stable, empathetic interactions highlights the complexity of designing assistive robots for profoundly affected populations. This study contributes to digital mental health and aging technologies by emphasizing stability, empathy, and user-centered design in developing assistive robotics as a universal, scalable solution.

Social robots in adult psychiatry: a summary of utilisation and impact

Social robots are increasingly becoming more prevalent in healthcare, including nursing, geriatric care, and treatment for children on the autism spectrum. Their assistance is believed to hold promise in mitigating the effects of staffing shortages and enhancing current mental health treatment. Nevertheless, the application of social robotics in psychiatry remains restricted and controversial. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the literature on social robots in adult psychiatry concerning their use, effects, and acceptability. We conducted a literature search, including PubMed and PsycINFO, to identify literature on robot interventions for adult psychiatric patients. Methodological quality was assessed using the 'Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool'. Usage and target variables were unique to every included original study (N = 7) and suggested a wide range of possible implications for patient treatment and care. Social robots were used to reduce symptoms, improve functioning, and gain insights into characteristic features of specific mental health conditions. The included studies were concerned with the following diagnoses: schizophrenia (N = 3), autism spectrum disorder (N = 2), and intellectual disability (N = 2). The sample sizes were too small to generalise the outcome, but overall trends showed some positive effects on the selected symptoms. Observations and participant feedback suggested high acceptance and enjoyment of the users. Although the evidence regarding the benefits of robotic interventions in adult psychiatry is still low, it suffices to assume that investing in larger, randomised, and controlled trials is worthwhile and promising.

Systematic review registration

asprediced.org, identifier 128766.

Artemisinin reduces PTSD-like symptoms, improves synaptic plasticity, and inhibits apoptosis in rats subjected to single prolonged stress

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a chronic mental disorder characterized by symptoms of panic and anxiety, depression, impaired cognitive functioning, and difficulty in social interactions. While the effect of the traditional Chinese medicine artemisinin (AR) on PTSD is unknown, its therapeutic benefits have been demonstrated by studies on models of multiple neurological disorders. This study aimed to extend such findings by investigating the effects of AR administration on a rat model of PTSD induced by a regimen of single prolonged stress (SPS). After rats were subjected to the SPS protocol, AR was administered and its impact on PTSD-like behaviors was evaluated. In the present study, rats were subjected to a multitude of behavioral tests to evaluate behaviors related to anxiety, memory function, and social interactions. The expression of hippocampal synaptic plasticity-related proteins was detected using Western blot and immunofluorescence. The ultrastructure of synapses was observed under transmission electron microscopy. The apoptosis of hippocampal neurons was examined with Western blot, TUNEL staining, and HE staining. The results showed that AR administration alleviated the PTSD-like phenotypes in SPS rats, including behavior indicative of anxiety, cognitive deficits, and diminished sociability. AR administration was further observed to improve synaptic plasticity and inhibit neuronal apoptosis in SPS rats. These findings suggest that administering AR after the onset of severe traumatic events may alleviate anxiety, cognitive deficits, and impaired social interaction, improve synaptic plasticity, and diminish neuronal apoptosis. Hence, the present study provides evidence for AR's potential as a multi-target agent in the treatment of PTSD.

Social Robots Outdo the Not-So-Social Media for Self-Disclosure: Safe Machines Preferred to Unsafe Humans?

COVID-19 may not be a ‘youth disease’ but it nevertheless impacts the life of young people dramatically, loneliness and a negative mood being an unexpected additional pandemic. Many young people rely on social media for their feeling of connectedness with others. However, social media is suggested to have many negative effects on people’s anxiety. Instead of self-disclosing to others, design may develop alternatives to employ social robots for self-disclosure. In a follow-up on earlier work, we report on a lab experiment of self-disclosing negative emotions to a social media group as compared to writing a conventional diary journal or to talking to an AI-driven social robot after negative mood induction (i.e., viewing shocking earthquake footage). Participants benefitted the most from talking to a robot rather than from writing a journal page or sharing their feelings on social media. Self-disclosure on social media or writing a journal page did not differ significantly. In the design of interventions for mental well-being, human helpers thus far took center stage. Based on our results, we propose design alternatives for an empathic smart home, featuring social robots and chatbots for alleviating stress and anxiety: a social-media interference chatbot, smart watch plus speaker, and a mirror for self-reflection.

A Trustworthy Robot Buddy for Primary School Children

Social robots hold potential for supporting children’s well-being in classrooms. However, it is unclear which robot features add to a trustworthy relationship between a child and a robot and whether social robots are just as able to reduce stress as traditional interventions, such as listening to classical music. We set up two experiments wherein children interacted with a robot in a real-life school environment. Our main results show that regardless of the robotic features tested (intonation, male/female voice, and humor) most children tend to trust a robot during their first interaction. Adding humor to the robots’ dialogue seems to have a negative impact on children’s trust, especially for girls and children without prior experience with robots. In comparing a classical music session with a social robot interaction, we found no significant differences. Both interventions were able to lower the stress levels of children, however, not significantly. Our results show the potential for robots to build trustworthy interactions with children and to lower children’s stress levels. Considering these results, we believe that social robots provide a new tool for children to make their feelings explicit, thereby enabling children to share negative experiences (such as bullying) which would otherwise stay unnoticed.