scholarly journals Developing assistive robots for people with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia: a qualitative study with older adults and experts in aged care

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e031937 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikaela Law ◽  
Craig Sutherland ◽  
Ho Seok Ahn ◽  
Bruce A MacDonald ◽  
Kathy Peri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Assistive Robots ◽  
Daily Care ◽  
Technical Issues ◽  
Study Participants

ObjectivesThis research is part of an international project to design and test a home-based healthcare robot to help older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early dementia. The aim was to investigate the perceived usefulness of different daily-care activities for the robot, developed from previous research on needs.DesignQualitative descriptive analysis using semistructured interviews. Two studies were conducted. In the first study, participants watched videos of a prototype robot performing daily-care activities; in the second study, participants interacted with the robot itself.SettingInterviews were conducted at a university and a retirement village.ParticipantsIn study 1, participants were nine experts in aged care and nine older adults living in an aged care facility. In study 2, participants were 10 experts in aged care.ResultsThe themes that emerged included aspects of the robot’s interactions, potential benefits, the appearance, actions and humanness of the robot, ways to improve its functionality and technical issues. Overall, the activities were perceived as useful, especially the reminders and safety checks, with possible benefits of companionship, reassurance and reduced caregiver burden. Suggestions included personalising the robot to each individual, simplifying the language and adding more activities. Technical issues still need to be fixed.ConclusionThis study adds to knowledge about healthcare robots for people with MCI by developing and testing a new robot with daily-care activities including safety checks. The robot was seen to be potentially useful but needs to be tested with people with MCI.

scholarly journals ATTITUDES AND PREFERENCES FOR ROBOT-LED PIANO COGNITIVE TRAINING: FEASIBILITY IN MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S946-S946
Author(s):  
George Mois ◽  
Bailley Collette ◽  
Lisa M Renzi-Hammond ◽  
Laura Boccanfuso ◽  
Aditi Ramachandran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Cognitive Status ◽  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Assistive Robots

Abstract Cognitive training has been shown to improve neural plasticity, increase cognitive reserve and reduce the risk of dementia in older adults. Specifically, learning to play the piano has been shown to be an engaging, multimodal form of cognitive training. However, accessing this form of cognitive training can pose a challenge for older adults. Socially assistive robots present a unique opportunity to increase access to user-tailored piano learning cognitive training. The present study utilized a robot-led four-week piano lesson feasibility intervention for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (N = 11; M= 74.64 ± 6.02 years of age; 72.72% female; 90.1% White/Caucasian). Cognitive Status was assessed during screening via the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status, and after screening via the Mini-Mental State Exam and the CNS Vital Signs computerized test suite to measure cognitive domain-specific functioning. Perceptions and acceptance of the robot were measured using the Robotic Social Attributes Scale (RoSAS) and Technology Acceptance Scale. Cognitive function improved after four weeks of training in the verbal memory, executive function, reaction time and cognitive flexibility domains, and in the computed neurocognitive index score (p<0.05). Survey data and qualitative interviews show that participants perceived the robot instructor as socially engaging, competent, useful, and easy to use. These results provide insight into the potential of SARs to facilitate cognitive training in the form of piano lessons, as well as recommendations for creating a suitable robot instructor for this application.

Robot-Led Piano Lessons May Improve Cognitive Function: AFeasibility Study in a Sample with Mild Cognitive Impairment

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
Bailey Collette ◽  
George Mois ◽  
Jenay M. Beer ◽  
Laura Boccanfuso ◽  
Aditi Ramachadran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Assistive Robots ◽  
Effective Form ◽  
Piano Lessons

Cognitive training has been shown to increase neural plasticity and cognitive reserve, potentially reducing the risk of developing dementia. Music learning, specifically piano playing, has been shown to be an effective form of multimodal cognitive training. This pilot study explored the feasibility and efficacy of using a socially assistive robot to provide a piano learning cognitive training intervention to older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Participants (N=11) engaged in a four-week feasibility study, which included a one-hour piano lesson per week led by a remotely controlled robot. Participants experienced improved cognitive function in the verbal memory ( p=0.04), executive function ( p=0.01), reaction time ( p=0.04), and cognitive flexibility ( p=0.003) domains, as well as in the calculated neurocognitive index score ( p=0.03). Socially assistive robots may have the potential to provide cognitive training in the form of piano lessons for older adults with mild cognitive impairment, especially adults who cannot access traditional services.

Toward Identifying Mild Cognitive Impairment in Hispanic and African American Adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-116
Author(s):  
Valarie B. Fleming ◽  
Joyce L. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
African American ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Healthcare Access ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Prevention Education ◽  
Education Management ◽  
African American Adults

Across the breadth of acquired neurogenic communication disorders, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may go undetected, underreported, and untreated. In addition to stigma and distrust of healthcare systems, other barriers contribute to decreased identification, healthcare access, and service utilization for Hispanic and African American adults with MCI. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have significant roles in prevention, education, management, and support of older adults, the population must susceptible to MCI.

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