2024 Alzheimer's Association Research Grant (AARG)

Assistive Robots and Intelligent devices for Alzheimer’s disease

Can robots be developed to provide emotional and physical comfort to people living with Alzheimer’s?

Carmine Tommaso Recchiuto, Ph.D.
University of Genoa
Genova, Italy

Background

Improving independence and emotional well-being is vital for maintaining the health of individuals living with dementia in long-term care or home environments. Studies have shown that devices called social assistive robots can help an individual by providing social interaction and assisting with activities of daily living (including eating and dressing). As such, they are a promising new tool to support the cognitive health and well-being of older adults and individuals living with dementia. However, researchers have not yet accurately measured the impact and usefulness of these devices in dementia care.   

Research Plan

Dr. Carmine Tommaso Recchiuto and colleagues will devote their research grant to a study of how social assistive robots may improve the health and well-being of people with dementia. For this effort, they will examine a type of human-like robot called “Pepper.” They will also recruit two groups of older participants with dementia: those who are living at home and those in long-term care. First, the researchers will develop guidelines for what activities and interactions the Pepper robot should perform with older individuals who have dementia. They will then develop software programs that enable Pepper to carry out these activities. Next, Dr. Recchiuto and the team will test the effectiveness of Pepper in both the at-home and long-term care participant groups. Lastly, the researchers will develop ways of promoting awareness and further studies of social assistive robot technology. 

Impact

Results from this study could refine our understanding of how robot technology can improve the lives and care of people living with dementia. They could also lead to studies of other dementia care technologies.