J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2018 Sep;29(3):300-309. 10.12799/jkachn.2018.29.3.300.

Effects of Intervention Using PARO on the Cognition, Emotion, Problem Behavior, and Social Interaction of Elderly People with Dementia

• Koh IS
• Kang HS

• KMID: 2429985
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2018.29.3.300

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study aims to investigate the effects of intervention using the therapeutic robot, PARO, on the cognition, emotion, problem behavior, and social interaction of elderly people with dementia.
METHODS
A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. A total of 33 elderly people with dementia living in a nursing home facility participated in the study, with 17 in the experimental group and 16 in the control group. The intervention program with PARO was administered twice a week for 6 weeks, for a total of 12 sessions. Data were collected before and after intervention, using a questionnaire, direct observation, and video recording.
RESULTS
There were statistically significant differences in positive emotions and problem behaviors between the groups. The experimental group demonstrated a significant improvement in social interaction.
CONCLUSION
PARO intervention can be utilized as an effective nursing intervention to increase positive emotions and social interaction, as well as decrease problem behaviors, in elderly people with dementia living in nursing home facilities.

Keyword

Robotics; Dementia; Emotions; Problem behavior; Social behavior

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Cognition*
Dementia*
Humans
Interpersonal Relations*
Nursing
Nursing Homes
Problem Behavior*
Robotics
Social Behavior
Video Recording