Physiological effects of a companion robot on blood pressure of older people in residential care facility: A pilot study. (25th December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Robinson, Hayley; MacDonald, Bruce; Broadbent, Elizabeth
• Is Part Of: Australasian journal on ageing. Volume 34:Number 1(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 27
• Page End: 32
• Publication Date: 2013-12-25
• Subjects: Older people -- Periodicals; Older people -- Australia -- Periodicals; Old age -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/ajag.12099
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1440-6381

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="ajag12099-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>To investigate the effects of interacting with the companion robot, Paro, on blood pressure and heart rate of older people in a residential care facility.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajag12099-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>This study used a repeated measures design. Twenty‐one residents in rest home and hospital level care had their blood pressure taken three times; before, during and after interacting with the seal robot.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajag12099-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Four residents who did not interact with the robot were excluded from the final analysis (final <italic>n =</italic> 17). The final analysis found that systolic and diastolic blood pressure changed significantly over time as did heart rate. Planned comparisons revealed that systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly from baseline to when residents had Paro (systolic, <italic>P =</italic> 0.048; diastolic, <italic>P =</italic> 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure increased significantly after Paro was withdrawn (<italic>P =</italic> 0.03).</p> </sec> <sec id="ajag12099-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Interacting with Paro has a physiological effect on cardiovascular measures, which is similar to findings with live animals.</p> </sec> </abstract>