Robotic seals as therapeutic tools in an aged care facility: a qualitative study

Birks, Melanie, Bodak, Marie, Barlas, Joanna, Harwood, June, and Pether, Mary (2016) Robotic seals as therapeutic tools in an aged care facility: a qualitative study. Journal of Aging, 2016. 8569602. pp. 1-7.

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Abstract

Robots, including robotic seals, have been used as an alternative to therapies such as animal assisted therapy in the promotion of health and social wellbeing of older people in aged care facilities. There is limited research available that evaluates the effectiveness of robot therapies in these settings. The aim of this study was to identify, explore, and describe the impact of the use of Paro robotic seals in an aged care facility in a regional Australian city. A qualitative, descriptive, exploratory design was employed. Data were gathered through interviews with the three recreational therapists employed at the facility who were also asked to maintain logs of their interactions with the Paro and residents. Data were transcribed and thematically analysed. Three major themes were identified from the analyses of these data: "a therapeutic tool that's not for everybody," "every interaction is powerful," and "keeping the momentum." Findings support the use of Paro as a therapeutic tool, revealing improvement in emotional state, reduction of challenging behaviours, and improvement in social interactions of residents. The potential benefits justify the investment in Paro, with clear evidence that these tools can have a positive impact that warrants further exploration.

Item ID: 46456
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 2090-2212
Additional Information:

Copyright © 2016 Melanie Birks et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Date Deposited: 22 Nov 2016 22:13
FoR Codes: 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4205 Nursing > 420502 Aged care nursing @ 100%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920201 Allied Health Therapies (excl. Mental Health Services) @ 20%
92 HEALTH > 9205 Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health) > 920502 Health Related to Ageing @ 40%
92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920210 Nursing @ 40%
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