JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Worldwide, populations are ageing exponentially. Older adults and people with dementia are especially at risk of social isolation and loneliness. Social robots, including robotic pets, have had positive impacts on older adults and people with dementia by providing companionship, improving mood, reducing agitation and facilitating social interaction. Nevertheless, the issue of affordability can hinder technology access. The Joy for All (JfA) robotic pets have showed promise as examples of low-cost alternatives. However, there has been no research which investigated the usability and impact of such low-cost robotic pets based on perceptions and experiences of its use with older adults and people with dementia.

Objective:

The aim of our study was to explore the usability and impact of the JfA robotic cat, as an example of a low-cost robot, based on perceptions and experiences of using the JfA cat for older adults and people with dementia.

Methods:

We used a novel methodology of analysing a large volume of information that were uploaded by reviewers of the JfA cat onto online consumer review sites. Data was collected from 15 consumer websites. This provided a total of 2,445 reviews which were extracted onto Microsoft Excel. Next, all reviews were screened. 1327 reviews that contained information about use of the JfA cat for older adults and/or people with dementia were included for analysis. These were reviews that contained terms relating to “older adults”, “dementia”, and “institutional care”, and were published in the English language. Descriptive statistics was used to characterize available demographic information, and textual data was qualitatively analysed using inductive content analysis.

Results:

Most reviews were derived from consumer sites in the United States, and most reviewers were family members of users (i.e. older adults and people with dementia). Based on the qualitative content analysis, five key themes were generated. Findings revealed that reviewers had prior expectations of the JfA cat, which included circumstantial reasons that prompted them to purchase this technology. Their perceptions evolved after using the technology, where most reported positive perceptions about their appearance and interactive features. The use of the JfA cat was also identified as a meaningful activity, as it provided opportunities for older adults and people with dementia to care for it and incorporated it into their routine. Finally, reviewers also shared about the impacts of JfA cat, and practicalities related to its use.

Conclusions:

This study provides important knowledge which can help researchers, robot developers and clinicians understand the viability of using low-cost robotic pets to benefit older adults and people with dementia. Future research should consider evaluating design preferences for robotic pets, and compare the effects of low-cost robotic pets to other more technologically advanced robotic pets.