Measuring the Impact of a Socially Assistive Robot

November 14, 2022 updated by: University Ghent

Measuring the Impact of Socially Assistive Robot on Older Adults With MCI and Their Caregivers

Due to increasing age and an increasing prevalence rate of neurocognitive disorders such as Mild Cognitive Impairment and dementia, independent living may become challenging. The use of socially assistive robots is one solution that can enable older adults with cognitive impairment to remain independent. However, at present, there is a lack of knowledge about the impact of assistive robots on older adults with MCI and their caregivers. A 12-month trial will be conducted to measure the impact of the robot. A total of 120 participants living in independent living facilities, nursing homes or patients part of a rehabilitation program will be recruited. The outcome measures will be defined based on experiences from previous pilot trials with the robot. The primary outcomes will be active engagement and loneliness. Participation, physical and cognitive functioning will be defined as the secondary outcomes.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

The objective of the current study is to evaluate the impact of the robot using a cross-over design.

  1. Recruitment An existing database with facilities, built up in the previous phases of the project, will be used to recruit new participants. Sample Size calculations were done a priori using G*Power, based on an effect size of 0.4 and testing the difference between two dependent means. According to these calculations, a total sample size of 62 would allow us to detect significant differences among the mean values on the primary outcome measures (α =.025 and power =.8).
  2. Handling Missing Data Since the reason for dropouts might be of great importance for the results of this study, they will be taken into account. Therefore, the Intention To Treat (ITT) approach will be applied.

  3. Data Analysis

    1. Quantitative Analysis

Descriptive statistics will be employed to describe the characteristics of the participants. Distribution of data will be assessed by inspecting the histograms and by appropriate tests, e.g. Shapiro-Wilk Test. Data will be visualized using bar charts (categorical variables) and/or box plots (continuous variables). If appropriate, independent t-tests will be used at baseline data to investigate whether or not there are significant differences between both groups. Alternatively, in case of non-normal distributed data, Mann Whitney-U tests will be applied instead.

Active Engagement Evaluation will be performed at baseline, after 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months in the study with both group A and B. Primary endpoint is the comparison "no robot" vs "robot" at 6 months within that period. Active Engagement will be calculated by comparing the data of the intervention and control group after 6 months and 12 months with counts (the number of times the person shows a certain behavior at a certain time point during the activity) as the outcome variable. Data will be analyzed using a mixed negative binominal regression, with the subjects considered the random factor and the following variables as fixed effects: (1) condition (robot vs no robot), (2) time (baseline, 3 and 6 months) and (3) interaction between condition and time.

Loneliness Evaluation will be performed at baseline, after 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months in the study with both group A and B. Primary endpoint is the comparison "no robot" vs "robot" at 6 months within that period. Loneliness will be calculated by comparing the scores on the (full) loneliness scale of the intervention group and the control group after 6 and 12 months. Data will be analyzed using a mixed linear regression, with "loneliness" as the outcome variable and the following variables as fixed effects: (1) condition (robot vs no robot), (2) time (baseline, 3 and 6 months) and (3) interaction between condition and time. The subjects in the study are considered the random factor.

Secondary outcomes Evaluation will be performed at baseline, after 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months in the study with both group A and B. Primary endpoint is the comparison "no robot" vs "robot" at 6 months within that period. For analyzing the data of the secondary outcomes (physical functioning, cognitive functioning and participation), a linear mixed model will be used (similar to the primary outcomes) if data is distributed normally.

Since multiple comparisons are made, a Bonferroni correction will be applied. The Bonferroni-corrected level of statistical significance will be set at α = .025. Data analyses will be conducted by SPSS Statistics software. For the secondary outcomes, statistical significance will be set at a level of p<.05.

2 - Qualitative Analysis

Focus groups will be conducted after 6 and 12 months to receive feedback from the caregivers. Inductive thematic analysis will be used to analyze the data from the focus groups. This will be done according to the guideline designed by Braun and Clarke (2006), which describes different phases in the process of conducting thematic analysis. In the first phase, the researcher becomes familiarized with the data by a thorough (re)reading from the data from the focus groups. Initial ideas that could possibly be of value will be noted down. The second phase consists of the coding process, where interesting features in the data are being labeled and initial codes will be produced. An interpretative analysis of the data occurs and similarities in the codes will be identified, generating potential themes. These themes will be discussed within the research team and further refined in the next phase, where clear definitions and names will be generated. The analysis will be carried out by the corresponding researcher from each test-site. This in order to enable a focus on the different perspectives resulting from the different settings where the study will be conducted.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
120

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Belgium
      • Ghent, Belgium, 9000
        • Ghent University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

65 years and older (Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 65+
  • Score range of 19/30 - 25/30 on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
  • Ability to walk independently with or without assistive device

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Health conditions that do not allow participation in a physical intervention
  • Planned surgery or hospitalisation within 12 months of the trial
  • Insufficient language skills
  • History of severe neurological (e.g. stroke) or psychiatric (e.g. depression) condition
  • Severe vision impairment / hearing loss
  • Participation in another study to test a new technology

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: Older adults with MCI
Other: socially assistive robot

The intervention group will work with the ReMIND-system. This ReMIND-system consists of:

  1. An existing socially assistive robot called James® that will be adapted based on the needs of the older adults and the robot's own functionality. For example, exercise videos and games to stimulate physical and cognitive activity will be developed and made available on the robot. The robot has to be programmed by the researcher using the ZBOS Control© application on a separate tablet that is connected to the robot.
  2. The "Keosity"-app, an application specifically designed to support people in telling, documenting and sharing their life stories with others. This application will be available on the robot.
Active Comparator: Caregivers
Other: socially assistive robot

The intervention group will work with the ReMIND-system. This ReMIND-system consists of:

  1. An existing socially assistive robot called James® that will be adapted based on the needs of the older adults and the robot's own functionality. For example, exercise videos and games to stimulate physical and cognitive activity will be developed and made available on the robot. The robot has to be programmed by the researcher using the ZBOS Control© application on a separate tablet that is connected to the robot.
  2. The "Keosity"-app, an application specifically designed to support people in telling, documenting and sharing their life stories with others. This application will be available on the robot.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change from baseline Active Engagement at month 6
Time Frame: baseline, month 6
Active engagement will be assessed using a time-sampling method. A scoring form will be adapted based on a protocol called 'Video Coding Incorporating Observed Emotion' (VC-IOE).
baseline, month 6
Change from baseline Loneliness at month 6
Time Frame: baseline, month 6

Loneliness will be assessed by De Jong-Gierveld 11-item Loneliness Scale. Scores range between 0-11 points, with a higher score indicating stronger feelings of loneliness.

Score 0-2: not lonely, score 3-11: lonely. Within the lonely people, a distinction can be made between moderate lonely people (scoring 3 to 8) and strong lonely people (scoring 9 to 11).

The instrument is divided into two subscales: emotional and social loneliness. Social loneliness occurs when someone is missing a wider social network. Emotional loneliness refers to missing an "intimate" relationship or friendship.
baseline, month 6

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change from baseline Physical functioning at month 6
Time Frame: baseline, month 6
Physical functioning will be assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). A summary score of 0 to 12 (higher score indicating better function) is based on performance on three tasks: gait speed, chair rise, and three standing positions.
baseline, month 6
Change from baseline Cognitive functioning at month 6
Time Frame: baseline, month 6
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) will be applied to measure cognitive functioning. Scores range between 0-30, with a higher score indicating a better cognitive functioning.
baseline, month 6
Change from baseline Participation level at month 6
Time Frame: baseline, month 6
Single-item measures were created to question the participant's level of participation. Participants have to indicate on a scale from 0-10 to what extent they agree with the propositions.
baseline, month 6

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University Ghent

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
October 12, 2020

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 31, 2021

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 31, 2021

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
March 19, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 12, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
April 19, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
November 15, 2022

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
November 14, 2022

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
November 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • B6702020000244

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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