JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Older adults, including people with dementia, are particularly vulnerable to social isolation. This issue is especially pertinent with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which has highlighted the need for innovative solutions to address this issue. Social robots, including robotic pets, are promising technological interventions that can benefit the psychosocial health of older adults and people with dementia. However, issues such as high costs can lead to a lack of equal access and concerns about infection control. Although there has been previous reviews on the use of robotic pets for older adults, none have included or had a focus on the Joy for All robotic pets, which are substantially lower cost as compared to several other pet robots.

Objective:

The aim of this review is to synthesize evidence on the delivery and impact of two low-cost robotic pets for older adults and people with dementia.

Methods:

The Arksey and O’Malley framework was used to guide this review. First, the research question was identified as ““What is known about the use of the JfA robotic dog and cat as an intervention for older adults and people with dementia?” Next, searches were conducted on five electronic databases and on Google Scholar. Studies were selected using a two-phase screening process, where two reviewers independently screened and extracted data using a standardized data extraction form. Finally, the results were discussed, categorized and presented narratively.

Results:

Findings revealed positive impacts that were related to several psychosocial domains, including mood and affect, communication and social interaction, companionship, and other well-being outcomes. Issues associated with its use included misperceptions of the robotic pets as a live animal, ethical issues of attachment, negative reactions by users, and other pragmatic concerns such as hygiene and cost.

Conclusions:

Overall, findings from our review resonate with previous studies that investigated the effectiveness of other robopets, demonstrating the promise of these robopets as low-cost psychosocial interventions for older adults and people with dementia. The affordability of these robopets appear to have an influence on the practicalities of real-world use, such as intervention delivery and infection control, which are especially relevant in light of COVID-19. Moving forward, studies should also consider comparing the effects of these low-cost robots with other robotic pets.