Companion Robotic Pets and Older Adults

NCT06246734 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: STUDY23090076
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 53
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This research will assess the effect of companion robotic pets on the wellbeing of older adults and their family caregivers.

Conditions

Dementia; Social Behavior; Caregiver Burden

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Positive Affect Scale from Baseline to 6-8 weeks

  PROMIS Positive Affect Short Form 15a Scale: The PROMIS measures are normed for population probability samples, with raw scores transformed into T scores (mean 50, SD=10). The scale measures positive emotion (e.g., enjoyment, engagement, serenity).

  Baseline and Follow-up, 6-8 weeks later

• Change in Negative Affect from Baseline to 6-8 weeks

  PROMIS Emotional Distress and Anger Short Form Scale: The PROMIS measures are normed for population probability samples, with raw scores transformed into T scores (mean = 50, SD=10). The scale measures emotional distress (e.g., irritability, anger).

  Baseline and Follow-up, 6-8 weeks later

Other Outcomes (1)

• Engagement with Pet

  Follow-up interview, 6-8 weeks after baseline

Study Arms (2)

Treatment, Immediate Robot Pet Companion

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive a Hasbro Joy for All robotic pet. These are low cost (\< $150), life-like cats and dogs that respond to human interaction by making sounds or turning their head for eye contact. The robot companion pets are designed as supports for older people with cognitive impairment. In this trial, the older person can treat it like a pet or ignore it. Family caregivers will report on engagement with the pet and effects on mood.

Behavioral: Hasbro Joy for All robot pet companion

Control, Delayed Robot Pet Companion

NO INTERVENTION

During the 6-8 week trial, this group will not receive the robot pet companion but will complete baseline and follow-up assessments on teh same schedule as the treatment arm. Participants in this arm will receive the robot pet after the trial.

Interventions

Hasbro Joy for All robot pet companion BEHAVIORAL

The robot pets are stuffed animals (dogs and cats) that have features that make them seem lifelike. For example, the animal toys turn their heads when petted, purr or make puppy sounds, feel warm, have a heartbeat, and go to sleep when they are ignored. They respond to attention and petting like a real pet. The robot pets do not collect information and do not require any maintenance, except a battery. Engagement with the device is at the discretion of participants.

Treatment, Immediate Robot Pet Companion

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Participating in Family Caregiver Support Program or OPTIONS Program administered by Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging
• Provide unpaid family or friend caregiver support for at least 6 months
• Older person aged 50+
• Able to provide verbal informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Uncomfortable with robot pet companion in home
• Family Caregiver \< 18 years age

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Pittsburgh: lead
• Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Area Agency on Aging: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15261, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dementia; Social Behavior; Caregiver Burden

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders; Behavior; Stress, Psychological; Behavioral Symptoms

Study Officials

• Steven M Albert, PhD

  University of Pittsburgh

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcomes assessor blind to treatment allocation
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Model Details: Single-blind randomized controlled trial

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 30, 2024
• First Posted: February 7, 2024
• Study Start: March 3, 2024
• Primary Completion: October 31, 2024
• Study Completion: December 31, 2024
• Last Updated: January 9, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ANALYTIC CODE
• Time Frame: Following study completion for 12 months
• Access Criteria: Email: smalbert@pitt.edu

Locations

US (1)