โก Quick Summary
The engAGE project explores the use of a social robot, Pepper, to provide cognitive therapy for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This innovative approach aims to enhance cognitive capacity and improve quality of life through a combination of technology and lifestyle management.
๐ Key Details
- ๐ค Technology: Social robot Pepper for cognitive therapy
- ๐ฑ Tools: Activity tracker and mobile app for monitoring
- ๐ Locations: Conducted in Italy, Switzerland, and Norway
- ๐ Duration: 6-month randomized controlled trial
- ๐ฅ Participants: 49 older adults with MCI
๐ Key Takeaways
- ๐ง Cognitive therapy is delivered weekly by the robot Pepper.
- ๐ Assessment tools include the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Memory Assessment Clinic Questionnaire (MAC-Q).
- ๐ Social engagement and quality of life are measured using the UCLA Loneliness Scale and WEMWBS.
- ๐ ๏ธ Usability of the engAGE platform is evaluated through the System Usability Scale (SUS).
- ๐ Data collection began in November 2023 and concluded in July 2024.
- ๐ Enrollment: 40 participants in the experimental group and 9 in the control group.
- ๐ Results will be published by 2026, following data analysis in November 2024.
๐ Background
Dementia poses significant challenges to society, affecting the quality of life for individuals and placing a burden on healthcare systems and caregivers. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) often precedes dementia, making it crucial to implement effective interventions during this stage. The engAGE project aims to leverage technology to provide cognitive therapy and lifestyle management, potentially mitigating cognitive decline in older adults.
๐๏ธ Study
The engAGE project is designed as a proof of concept and randomized controlled trial, focusing on the integration of a social robot, Pepper, into cognitive therapy sessions. Participants engage with Pepper weekly at healthcare or daycare facilities, while also utilizing a mobile app and activity tracker for daily monitoring of their physical activity and sleep patterns. This multifaceted approach aims to create a supportive environment for older adults with MCI.
๐ Results
Data collection for the engAGE project is ongoing, with a total of 49 older adults enrolled. The primary focus is on assessing the impact of the intervention on cognitive capacity and overall well-being. The results, expected to be published by 2026, will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of technology-driven interventions for cognitive decline.
๐ Impact and Implications
The engAGE project represents a significant step forward in addressing cognitive decline among older adults. By combining cognitive therapy with technology, this initiative has the potential to enhance not only cognitive function but also social engagement and quality of life. The findings from this study could pave the way for broader applications of social robots in healthcare, ultimately improving care for individuals with MCI and dementia.
๐ฎ Conclusion
The engAGE project highlights the promising intersection of technology and healthcare in managing cognitive decline. With its innovative approach, the study aims to provide critical insights into how social robots can support older adults with MCI. As we await the results, the future looks hopeful for integrating such technologies into everyday care practices.
๐ฌ Your comments
What are your thoughts on the use of social robots in cognitive therapy? We would love to hear your opinions! ๐ฌ Join the conversation in the comments below or connect with us on social media:
Managing Cognitive Decline Through a Social Robot-Based Intervention: Protocol for the engAGE Proof of Concept and Randomized Controlled Trial.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dementia is challenging society in terms of the quality of life, the costs of health care systems, and caregivers’ burden. Dementia is often preceded by a status of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), during which a healthy lifestyle and cognitive therapy seem to be effective in counteracting the decline.
OBJECTIVE: The engAGE (Managing Cognitive Decline Through Theatre Therapy, Artificial Intelligence, and Social Robot-Driven Interventions) project aimed to build a technological platform to counteract cognitive decline in older adults with MCI through both cognitive therapy and lifestyle management.
METHODS: The engAGE platform was built around the social robot Pepper, which provides cognitive therapy. An activity tracker and a mobile app were also integrated within the platform to help older adults with MCI monitor their sleep and physical activity, in addition to offering cognitive games at home. The proof of concept (PoC) of engAGE was designed as a 6-month long randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to test the solution in three European countries: Italy, Switzerland, and Norway. During this period, under the supervision of a psychologist or a therapist, Pepper provided cognitive therapy on a weekly basis at health care or daycare facilities. In parallel, the use of the mobile app and the activity tracker was recommended on a daily basis. Participants were recruited through health care institutions and care organizations and evaluated through face-to-face interviews. The primary interest of the study was to assess the impact of engAGE on cognitive capacity through the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Memory Assessment Clinic Questionnaire (MAC-Q). In addition, changes in social engagement and quality of life were measured through the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS). The PoC also focused on the acceptability and usability of engAGE, evaluated through the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) questionnaire. In addition, data were collected regarding the frequency of weekly sessions and access to the mobile app, as well as activity tracker measurements.
RESULTS: Data collection commenced in November 2023 and finished in July 2024, with the enrollment of 49 older adults with MCI (n=40, 81.6%, assigned to the experimental group [EG] and n=9, 18.4%, to the control group [CG]) conducted from October 2023 to April 2024. Data analysis was concluded in November 2024, and results will be published by 2026.
CONCLUSIONS: The engAGE PoC represents an innovative study focused on the impact of a technology-based multidomain intervention designed for older adults with MCI that aimed to counteract cognitive decline through cognitive training, as well as improvement in terms of the quality of life, social engagement, physical activity, and sleep quality of primary end users.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06302686; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06302686.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR1-10.2196/67601.
Author: [‘Amabili G’, ‘Maranesi E’, ‘Margaritini A’, ‘Bonfigli AR’, ‘Felici E’, ‘Barbarossa F’, ‘Benadduci M’, ‘Gosetto L’, ‘Guebey J’, ‘Grimstad T’, ‘Hellman R’, ‘Marin AI’, ‘Boye LT’, ‘Anghel IM’, ‘Cioara T’, ‘Bevilacqua R’]
Journal: JMIR Res Protoc
Citation: Amabili G, et al. Managing Cognitive Decline Through a Social Robot-Based Intervention: Protocol for the engAGE Proof of Concept and Randomized Controlled Trial. Managing Cognitive Decline Through a Social Robot-Based Intervention: Protocol for the engAGE Proof of Concept and Randomized Controlled Trial. 2025; 14:e67601. doi: 10.2196/67601