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The CARESSES randomised controlled trial: exploring the health-related impact of culturally competent artificial intelligence embedded into socially assistive robots and tested in oder adult care homes

  • Chris Papadopoulos
    ,
  • Nina Castro
    ,
  • Abiha Nigath
    ,
  • Rosemary Davidson
    ,
  • Nicholas Faulkes
    ,
  • Roberto Menicatti
  • Advinia Health Care
    ,
  • University of Genoa
    ,
  • Örebro University
    ,
  • Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    ,
  • Nagoya University
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Open access

Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well

Abstract

This trial represents the final stage of the CARESSES project which aimed to develop and evaluate a culturally competent artificial intelligent system embedded into social robots to support older adult wellbeing. A parallel group, single-blind randomised controlled trial was conducted across older adult care homes in England and Japan. Participants randomly allocated to the Experimental Group or Control Group 1 received a Pepper robot for up 18 h across 2 weeks. Two versions of the CARESSES artificial intelligence were tested: a fully culturally competent system (Experimental Group) and a more limited version (Control Group 1). Control Group 2 (Care As Usual) participants did not receive a robot. Quantitative outcomes of interest reported in the current paper were health-related quality of life (SF-36), loneliness (ULS-8), and perceptions of robotic cultural competence (CCATool-Robotics). Thirty-three residents completed all procedures. The difference in SF-36 Emotional Wellbeing scores between Experimental Group and Care As Usual participants over time was significant (F[1] = 6.614, sig = .019, ηp2 = .258), as was the comparison between Any Robot used and Care As Usual (F[1] = 5.128, sig = .031, ηp2 = .146). There were no significant changes in SF-36 physical health subscales. ULS-8 loneliness scores slightly improved among Experimental and Control Group 1 participants compared to Care As Usual participants, but this was not significant. This study brings new evidence which cautiously supports the value of culturally competent socially assistive robots in improving the psychological wellbeing of older adults residing in care settings.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 245-256 (12 pages)

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

International Journal of Social Robotics (Volume 14, Issue 1)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 18/03/2021
  • Published - 23/04/2021

Publication status

Published - 23/04/2021

ISSN

1875-4791

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/624972
  • Scopus: 85105242052
  • PubMed: 33907589

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