Social robot PIO intervention for improving cognitive function and depression in older adults with mild to moderate dementia in day care centers: A randomized controlled trial.

The increases in the older population, the prevalence of dementia, and the resulting social costs are burdensome to individuals, families, and the nation. This study examines whether the social robot PIO program intervention is effective for cognitive function and depression for older adults with mi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jun-Seo Lim, Hye-Kyung Oh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321745
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849711441879236608
author Jun-Seo Lim
Hye-Kyung Oh
author_facet Jun-Seo Lim
Hye-Kyung Oh
author_sort Jun-Seo Lim
collection DOAJ
description The increases in the older population, the prevalence of dementia, and the resulting social costs are burdensome to individuals, families, and the nation. This study examines whether the social robot PIO program intervention is effective for cognitive function and depression for older adults with mild to moderate dementia using two daycare centers in Daegu, Korea. Older adults with mild to moderate dementia and using a daycare center were included in the experimental (n = 33) and control (n = 33) groups. The experimental group participated in the social robot PIO program twice a week, 12 sessions, 50 minutes day for 6 weeks, and the control group received the usual care. From October 2022 through December 2022, a total 66 participants were included. Results showed that the cognitive function of the experimental group increased by 3.9±3.66, from 18.1±4.54 before intervention to 21.9±5.17 after intervention; the control group increased by 0.1±4.13, from 18.2±4.91 before intervention to 18.2± 4.77 after intervention. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (t = 3.94, p<.001). Depression decreased -0.7±3.48 in the experimental group, from 5.9±4.74 before intervention to 5.2±4.65 after intervention, and decreased by -0.2±3.42, from 6.5±4.69 before intervention to 6.4±4.08 after intervention, in the control group, but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (z = -0.59, p =.557). It was confirmed that the social robot PIO program is effective in improving cognitive function in older people with mild to moderate dementia who use daycare centers. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically implement this program for the older adults who use daycare centers to improve cognitive function. The experimental group had lower depression than did those in the control group, but the effect is not statistically significant, so additional research is required. Trial Registration: CRIS (KCT0007936).
format Article
id doaj-art-b910eb1f033a4885a0fde6a4a5d937c2
institution DOAJ
issn 1932-6203
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
record_format Article
series PLoS ONE
spelling doaj-art-b910eb1f033a4885a0fde6a4a5d937c22025-08-20T03:14:38ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01204e032174510.1371/journal.pone.0321745Social robot PIO intervention for improving cognitive function and depression in older adults with mild to moderate dementia in day care centers: A randomized controlled trial.Jun-Seo LimHye-Kyung OhThe increases in the older population, the prevalence of dementia, and the resulting social costs are burdensome to individuals, families, and the nation. This study examines whether the social robot PIO program intervention is effective for cognitive function and depression for older adults with mild to moderate dementia using two daycare centers in Daegu, Korea. Older adults with mild to moderate dementia and using a daycare center were included in the experimental (n = 33) and control (n = 33) groups. The experimental group participated in the social robot PIO program twice a week, 12 sessions, 50 minutes day for 6 weeks, and the control group received the usual care. From October 2022 through December 2022, a total 66 participants were included. Results showed that the cognitive function of the experimental group increased by 3.9±3.66, from 18.1±4.54 before intervention to 21.9±5.17 after intervention; the control group increased by 0.1±4.13, from 18.2±4.91 before intervention to 18.2± 4.77 after intervention. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (t = 3.94, p<.001). Depression decreased -0.7±3.48 in the experimental group, from 5.9±4.74 before intervention to 5.2±4.65 after intervention, and decreased by -0.2±3.42, from 6.5±4.69 before intervention to 6.4±4.08 after intervention, in the control group, but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (z = -0.59, p =.557). It was confirmed that the social robot PIO program is effective in improving cognitive function in older people with mild to moderate dementia who use daycare centers. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically implement this program for the older adults who use daycare centers to improve cognitive function. The experimental group had lower depression than did those in the control group, but the effect is not statistically significant, so additional research is required. Trial Registration: CRIS (KCT0007936).https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321745
spellingShingle Jun-Seo Lim
Hye-Kyung Oh
Social robot PIO intervention for improving cognitive function and depression in older adults with mild to moderate dementia in day care centers: A randomized controlled trial.
PLoS ONE
title Social robot PIO intervention for improving cognitive function and depression in older adults with mild to moderate dementia in day care centers: A randomized controlled trial.
title_full Social robot PIO intervention for improving cognitive function and depression in older adults with mild to moderate dementia in day care centers: A randomized controlled trial.
title_fullStr Social robot PIO intervention for improving cognitive function and depression in older adults with mild to moderate dementia in day care centers: A randomized controlled trial.
title_full_unstemmed Social robot PIO intervention for improving cognitive function and depression in older adults with mild to moderate dementia in day care centers: A randomized controlled trial.
title_short Social robot PIO intervention for improving cognitive function and depression in older adults with mild to moderate dementia in day care centers: A randomized controlled trial.
title_sort social robot pio intervention for improving cognitive function and depression in older adults with mild to moderate dementia in day care centers a randomized controlled trial
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321745
work_keys_str_mv AT junseolim socialrobotpiointerventionforimprovingcognitivefunctionanddepressioninolderadultswithmildtomoderatedementiaindaycarecentersarandomizedcontrolledtrial
AT hyekyungoh socialrobotpiointerventionforimprovingcognitivefunctionanddepressioninolderadultswithmildtomoderatedementiaindaycarecentersarandomizedcontrolledtrial