Development of scenario-typed robot therapy program and its evaluation

Abstract

In this research, we developed a scenario-typed robot therapy program with the aim of creating group communication among elderly people with dementia through robot. Specifically, we developed a program to conduct group activities (games) with pet robots after creating an atmosphere of communication through a pet robot. This program consists of touching time with pet robot, gymnastics with pet robot, and game with pet robot. Then, the frequency of occurrence of communication and the expression time (ARS) of emotions of elderly people during conducting game with pet robot were examined. As a result, when the elderly people participate in the game, it is found that the communication amount increases by 10 times or more on average as compared with the normal living hours zone. Furthermore, it was revealed that there is a strong positive correlation between frequency of occurrence of communication and ARS value (time of expressing good emotions).