RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Animal-assisted therapy is gaining popularity as part of therapeutic activities for older adults in many long-term care facilities. However, concerns about dog bites, allergic responses to pets, disease, and insufficient available resources to care for a real pet have led to many residential care facilities to ban this therapy. There are situations where a substitute artificial companion, such as robotic pet, may serve as a better alternative. METHODS: This pilot study used a one-group pre- and posttest design to evaluate the effect of a robot-assisted therapy for older adults. Sixteen eligible participants participated in the study and received a group robot-assisted therapy using a seal-like robot pet for 30 minutes twice a week for 4 weeks. All participants received assessments of their communication and interaction skills using the Assessment of Communication and Interaction Skills (ACIS-C) and activity participation using the Activity Participation Scale at baseline and at week 4. RESULTS: A total of 12 participants completed the study. Wilcoxon signed rank test showed that participants' communication and interaction skills (z = -2.94, P = 0.003) and activity participation (z = -2.66, P = 0.008) were significantly improved after receiving 4-week robot-assisted therapy. DISCUSSION: By interacting with a robot pet, such as Paro, the communication, interaction skills, and activity participation of the older adults can be improved. The robot-assisted therapy can be provided as a routine activity program and has the potential to improve social health of older adults in residential care facilities.
Asunto(s)
Institucionalización , Relaciones Interpersonales , Robótica , Participación Social , Terapia Asistida por Computador , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Comunicación , Femenino , Evaluación Geriátrica , Humanos , Masculino , Proyectos PilotoRESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to investigate falls among community elderly and the factors related thereto. The cross-sectional method was utilized in this study. A sample of 118 subjects aged 65 and over completed structured questionnaires and balance tests. Forty participants (34%) had fallen once or more in the past. Multivariate logistic regression showed that incidents of falls were significantly related to general perceived health status (OR=0.938, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.900-0.997), one legged stance with eyes closed (OR=0.788, 95% CI=0.626-0.933), and mobility (OR=1.184, 95% CI=1.026-1.367). Falling is a major health risk for older adults. Health professionals can therefore develop fall preventive programs with a focus on monitoring perceived health status, dynamic balance, and mobility ability, and interventions that are associated with these factors.