JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The use of social robots as innovative therapeutic tools was increasingly explored in recent years in an effort to address the growing need for alternative intervention modalities in mental health.

Objective:

The aim of this scoping review is to identify and describe social robot interventions in mental health facilities and to highlight their outcomes as well as the barriers and facilitators to their implementation.

Methods:

A scoping review of the literature published since 2015 was conducted using the Arksey and O’Malley framework. Databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and PsycINFO were searched and a total of 2239 articles were retrieved. Included articles were primary empirical studies published in the peer-reviewed literature. Eligible studies were set in mental health facilities and included participants with a known mental health condition. The methodological quality of the included articles was also assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

Results:

A total of 30 articles met the eligibility criteria for this review. Studies involved participants with dementia, cognitive impairment, schizophrenia, depression, autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and with an intellectual disability. Studied outcomes included engagement, social interaction, emotional state, agitation, behaviour, and quality of life.

Conclusions:

The methodological weaknesses of the studies conducted so far and the lack of diversity in the conditions studied limit the generalizability of the results. However, despite the presence of certain barriers to their implementation (e.g. technical problem, unsuitable environment, staff resistance), social robot interventions generally show positive effects on patients with mental health conditions. Studies of stronger methodological quality are needed to further understand the benefits and the place of social robots in mental health.