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Robotic Pets Soothe Dementia Patients in Hospitals
19 Feb
Summary
- Robotic pets aided hospitalized seniors with dementia.
- Patients with pets had fewer dangerous heart rate drops.
- Robotic pets led to shorter hospital stays and home returns.
A year-long clinical trial sponsored by Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Florida investigated the impact of robotic companion pets on hospitalized seniors experiencing mild to moderate dementia.
Led by nursing quality specialist Joanna D'Elia, the study provided half of the participants with interactive robotic cats or dogs that purr, blink, and wag their tails in response to touch and sound. These devices aimed to provide a sense of connection beyond medical treatment alone.
The results indicated that patients who received a robotic pet experienced medically significant benefits. They showed fewer dangerous drops in heart rate and blood pressure, a lower risk of falls, and were more likely to be discharged directly to their homes rather than to assisted living facilities.
Hospital officials highlighted that this trial, among the first of its kind in an acute-care setting, demonstrated how community hospitals can drive innovation. The unpublished findings are expected to encourage broader adoption of such low-cost, high-impact strategies to enhance the care of aging patients nationwide.
