Humanoid robot intervention vs. treatment as usual for loneliness in long-term care homes: Study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

Paola Lavin, Myriam Lesage, Edward Monroe, Michael Kanevsky, Johanna Gruber, Karin Cinalioglu, Soham Rej, Harmehr Sekhon, Paola Lavin, Myriam Lesage, Edward Monroe, Michael Kanevsky, Johanna Gruber, Karin Cinalioglu, Soham Rej, Harmehr Sekhon

Abstract

Background: Loneliness affects up to 42% of long-term care residents and is associated with poor health outcomes. Humanoid robot interventions hold promise for reducing loneliness and decreasing barriers to social interaction in long-term care settings, such as the current COVID-19 safety measures in many countries, limited mobility, and poor health. We present a protocol describing an assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of a humanoid robot intervention to treatment as usual, on loneliness and mental health outcomes in long-term care residents.

Methods: Seventy-four (n = 74) older adults experiencing loneliness in 3 long-term care homes will be randomized 1:1 to an 8-week, twice a week social intervention with the Grace humanoid robot vs. a treatment as usual active control. We will assess change (baseline to week 8) in (1) loneliness (primary outcome), (2) depression severity, and (3) stress (secondary outcomes), as well as (4) other exploratory outcomes: anxiety, quality of life and reduction in acute healthcare utilization. We will also assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention using qualitative methods.

Discussion: The proposed study will assess the effects of a social robot on loneliness and other mental health outcomes, as well as the feasibility of the intervention in older adults living in long-term care settings.

Trial registration: NCT05423899.

Keywords: depression; humanoid robot; loneliness; long-term care; stress.

Conflict of interest statement

SR receives a salary award from the Fonds de Recherche de Québec Santé FRQS is a consultant for AbbVie and a shareholder of Aifred Health. HS has a CIHR fellowship award, MITACS fellowship award, and AGE-WELL award. MK is affiliated with CONNECTIN and subsidiaries is partnered with Awakening Health and consults globally for public and private sector organizations to heal a fragmented medical system. EM was employed by Awakening Health Limited. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Copyright © 2022 Lavin, Lesage, Monroe, Kanevsky, Gruber, Cinalioglu, Rej and Sekhon.

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Source: PubMed

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