Effects of Care by Mental Commitment Robot: PARO for elderly people with dementia

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24300202
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: Tokyo Metropolitan University
• Principal Investigator: Inoue Kaoru 首都大学東京, 人間健康科学研究科, 准教授 (90259143)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 木下 正信 首都大学東京, 人間健康科学研究科, 教授 (10204950) ; 和田 一義 首都大学東京, システムデザイン研究科, 准教授 (20453037) ; 柴田 崇徳 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, 人間情報研究部門, 上級主任研究員 (30357199) ; 伊藤 祐子 首都大学東京, 人間健康科学研究科, 准教授 (60289973)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: ロボット・セラピー / 作業療法 / 認知症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to see the effect of care using a robot "PARO" for elderly people with dementia and to verify effective methods of a robot.
Seniors living in nursing home improved their communication and activity level with the support of professional caregivers. Some elderly people living at their own home showed the same effects as above with supports of their family members, however, all seniors didn’t show positive reaction for PARO. In successful case, family members could reduce their mental burden. Although we could get some remarkable effects in nursing homes, professionals need to learn how to use PARO effectively. It was difficult for family caregivers to take advantage of PARO, they need the support by professional caregivers.

Free Research Field

作業療法学