Socially Assistive Robots for Interaction With Older Adults With Dementia

Development of Serious Games and Physical Activities Instructed by a Social Robot for Improving the Well-being of Elderly Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

A 12-month pilot study will be comprised of two groups of people diagnosed with mild Alzheimer's disease and related dementia for a total of 80 senior subjects. Subjects will be randomly assigned to two groups: Group 1 users will play games with and administered by Ryan, 2-3 times a week and 30-minutes per day. Group 2 (Active Control Group) will play solitary games and activities but will have to interaction with Ryan. The team will measure the changes and improvement in the social/emotional well-being of these two groups and eventual changes in the cognitive/memory functions of elderly people living in the similar environment.

Inclusion Criteria

• Age ≥ 65 years
• Early Alzheimer's disease and related dementia diagnosed by a qualified provider
• Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) score between 10 and 25
• Resident of assisted living facility for at least one month prior and for the duration of the study
• Deemed conditioned enough to participate in physical activities after a wellness check
• Verbal skill to interact
• Participant or Legal decision

Exclusion Criteria:

Aggressive behavior

• Diagnosed with severe dementia or memory loss
• Acute physical illness that impairs ability to participate
• Patients with serious comorbidity, tumors and other diseases casually related to cognitive impairment
• History of alcohol or drug abuse, head trauma, psychoactive substance use and other causes of memory impairment
• Significant sensory impairment