Author(s) :

Christian D. Barravecchio.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Dementia affects more than 55 million people worldwide and is frequently associated with social withdrawal, reduced emotional engagement, and declining quality of life. Although animal-assisted therapy has demonstrated benefits for individuals with dementia, many long-term care facilities face practical barriers that limit regular access to live animals. This study examined whether robotic therapy dogs could improve mood among nursing home residents with dementia. Forty residents with diagnosed dementia participated in a controlled repeated-measures study. Twenty participants received continuous access to individualized robotic companion dogs, while twenty participants continued to receive standard care. Mood was assessed at four separate time points, including two baseline observations and two post-intervention observations, using a clinician-administered 10-point observational scale supported by staff feedback. Following introduction of the robotic dogs, the treatment group demonstrated a statistically significant average mood improvement of 0.40 points, while the control group showed little overall change. Comparison of mood change scores between groups revealed a statistically significant difference favoring the treatment group (t(38) = 3.65, p = 0.0008). Positive changes were observed in most treatment-group participants rather than being concentrated among only a few individuals. The results indicate that robotic companion dogs may provide a feasible approach to supporting emotional well-being among residents with dementia in long-term care settings. Although the magnitude of improvement was modest, robotic companion technology may represent a practical option for expanding emotional support within care facilities.