Development of Dementia-Care-Robot Integrated Program and Evaluation of Effectiveness : For the Elderly with Mild Dementia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop Dementia-Care-Robot integrated program based on group customization and to identify effects on IADL, depression, and attitudes toward robot. This study was nonequivalent control group pre-post test design. The subjects were 40 elders diagnosed with mild dementia participating in the dementia center daily program (20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group). Each session lasted for 30 minutes, twice a week during 6 weeks. Data were collected from July 16 to November 7, 2019, and were analyzed using SPSS WIN 22.0 program to identify differences between groups for variables. After the program, the experimental group improved in IADL, depression, but there were no significant differences between the two groups. In attitude toward robot, the experimental group showed positive change to the robot, but the control group showed negative change to it, also there was a significant difference between the two groups. Findings indicate that integrated program using Dementia-Care-Robot has potential as a strategy to improve the symptoms of dementia and to delay the progression. It needs to be applied in the medical field through convergent approach of engineering.