title: Effectiveness of Robot Paro in Intramural Psychogeriatric Care: A Multicenter Quasi-Experimental Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Together with care professionals, specific psychogeriatric care applications were developed for the seal robot Paro.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of the developed Paro interventions, applying the robot in psychogeriatric care.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multicenter quasi-experimental time series ABAB study (n = 91) with within-subject comparison was conducted to assess both the short-term effects of the Paro interventions for therapeutic applications, and the facilitation of daily care activities by care providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Small-scale care units (8-10 residents each), spread over 6 different locations, in 3 Dutch care institutions for intramural psychogeriatric care.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 91 patients with dementia, in all stages of dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two user-centered intervention types were applied, one for therapeutic purposes and one for the facilitation of daily care activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Effectiveness was measured with a goal attainment scale (IPPA) and a mood scale (Coop/Wonca), by means of a registration form.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 106 user-specific interventions were defined for 91 participants; 71 participants completed the study, 14 were men and 57 were women. All interventions combined show a significant effect (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Paro should be seen as a tool for care staff and not as a replacement of care. Successful implementation of Paro in daily intramural psychogeriatric care practice can increase the quality of care and the quality of life for the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Research Center for Technology in Care, Heerlen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: roger.bemelmans@zuyd.nl.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bemelmans
authors.affiliation: Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Research Center for Technology in Care, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gert Jan
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Gelderblom
authors.affiliation: Delft University of Technology, Robotics Institute, Delft, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jonker
authors.affiliation: Maastricht University, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Witte
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003704:Dementia / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012371:Robotics
keywords: Paro; Socially assistive robot; dementia; effectiveness; interventions; intramural care