title: Physiological effects of a companion robot on blood pressure of older people in residential care facility: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of interacting with the companion robot, Paro, on blood pressure and heart rate of older people in a residential care facility.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used a repeated measures design. Twenty-one residents in rest home and hospital level care had their blood pressure taken three times; before, during and after interacting with the seal robot.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four residents who did not interact with the robot were excluded from the final analysis (final n = 17). The final analysis found that systolic and diastolic blood pressure changed significantly over time as did heart rate. Planned comparisons revealed that systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly from baseline to when residents had Paro (systolic, P = 0.048; diastolic, P = 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure increased significantly after Paro was withdrawn (P = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interacting with Paro has a physiological effect on cardiovascular measures, which is similar to findings with live animals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Hayley
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Broadbent
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006339:Heart Rate; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D009735:Nursing Homes; D057805:Pets; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012371:Robotics
keywords: Paro; blood pressure; human-robot interaction; robotics