NCT03823066

Experience With a Robot for Home Care and Its Acceptance by People With Dementia, Caregivers and Dementia Trainers

Completed NA Last updated 30 January 2019

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Coach Pepper in Dementia in 12 participants. Completed in 18 September 2018.

Timeline

22 August 2018

Primary endpoint
18 September 2018

18 September 2018

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	Medical University of Graz
Phase	NA
Status	Completed
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	na
Design	single group
Masking	none
Primary purpose	supportive care
Enrollment	12
Start date	22 August 2018
Primary completion	18 September 2018
Estimated completion	18 September 2018
Sites	1 location across Austria

Drugs / interventions tested

• Coach Pepper

Conditions studied

• Dementia — all drugs for Dementia →

Sponsor

Medical University of Graz

Who can join

Eligibility, any sex, with Dementia. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

Background:

Dementia rates are increasing worldwide and consequently burden global healthcare resources to a serious degree. However, there is a declining number of caregivers to provide care. It is for this reason that many new technologies, such as socially assistive robots, have been developed because of their potential to support caregivers in promoting the independence of people with dementia. Most of the (socially assistive) robots have so far been tested for people without dementia in mainly laboratory or institutional settings, like nursing homes. Consequently, there is a lack of knowledge about the possible uses of robots from the perspective of those affected by dementia in real-life/care situations (e.g. at home). Testing in a laboratory setting cannot capture the complexity and high variability of everyday situations occurring during the care of persons with dementia.

Methods

The design is a mixed method intervention study of a refined socially assistive humanoid robot. In total, three people with dementia, three relatives, three dementia trainers and three professional caregivers were included in the study. Quantitative data of technology acceptance were collected using the "Technology Usage Inventory". Qualitative data (main focus: experiences with the robot and handling the robot) were collected by means of observation and qualitative interviews. Movement data of people with dementia were collected by means of the eye camera of the robot.

This study helps to further refine and test a socially assistive robot for people with dementia living at home.

Publications & conference data

2 peer-reviewed publications reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. Effects of a Humanoid Socially Assistive Robot Versus Tablet Training on Psychosocial and Physical Outcomes of Persons With Dementia: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.
   Schüssler S, Zuschnegg J, Paletta L, Fellner M, et al · · 2020 · cited 15× · PMID 32022697 · DOI 10.2196/14927
2. [Analysis of the global registration status of clinical trials for artificial intelligence medical device].
   Lu Y, Chen J, Zhang T, Yan S, et al · · 2025 · PMID 40566773 · DOI 10.7507/1001-5515.202408035