BACKGROUND
The increase in the number of dementia patients is a burden on caregivers as well as a socioeconomic burden. However, technical innovation is becoming a major critical factor in addressing such burdens. Studies are emerging that verify the effectiveness of robots in treating old adults with dementia. Therefore, we would like to determine and compare the effects of interventions that use robots and living animals, respectively.
OBJECTIVE
This study is a meta-analysis that analyzes four variables (cognition function, agitation, depression, and quality of life (QoL)) by selecting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of old adults with dementia in order to determine and compare the effectiveness of pet robot-assisted therapy (PRAT) and animal-assisted therapy (AAT).
METHODS
The literature selected was limited to RCTs written in English. Four databases were used in the search and selection therefor: EMBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science. Two independent reviewers completed the search and screening process.
RESULTS
The systematic review included seven articles on PRAT, seven articles on AAT, and one article on both PRAT and AAT—for a total of fifteen articles. The meta-analysis showed that both PRAT and AAT interventions did not have a statistically significant impact on the cognition function, depression, and QoL of older adults with dementia. However, they did have a statistically significant impact on agitation.
CONCLUSIONS
Previous studies have shown that the current method of treating older adults with dementia—whether using robots or living animals—is ineffective. Thus, in the development of intelligent active techniques (IATs), standardized robot arbitration programs—and the necessary measurement tools therefor—should be created instead of simply borrowing the program used in AAT.
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