It’s a cat! It’s a dog! It’s a… machine?

Robotic pets in patient rooms might sound like something out of science fiction, but according to a study recently conducted by the clinicians at Sarasota Memorial’s Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute, it could quickly become a healthcare reality for patients with dementia.

“I wanted to find a way to engage patients with dementia and give them companionship in the hospital,” says Joanna D’Elia, a nursing quality specialist at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and the Principal Investigator behind the study.

After a year of research and analysis, the results are promising.

Recognizing a Need in Dementia Care

During a long hospital stay, managing and preventing any additional stress, anxiety, and loneliness can be a constant challenge for patients, visitors, nurses, and caregivers of all sorts.

As a nurse who has long specialized in the care of geriatric patients, D’Elia has seen firsthand how hospital stays can be particularly disorienting and upsetting for individuals with dementia, and how it can increase their risk of delirium and slow their recovery. “People need something more than sitting in a room, focusing solely on their medical care,” she says. While Sarasota Memorial’s Integrative Care Program provides a variety of options that complement standard treatments, including music therapy, virtual museum tours, and aromatherapy, D’Elia knew there was room for even more. Something that could be an anchor of comfort for dementia patients, something constant and present, a companion of some kind…

With a solution in mind, D’Elia teamed up with Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation board member Deb Kabinoff, who personally funded the study by “adopting” a whole slew of Joy for All robotic cats and dogs.

"My philanthropic focus has always been on supporting innovative ideas and technology," says Kabinoff. "What made this project so compelling was not just the technology, but my own knowledge of the comforting effects a pet can have-and their potential to soothe dementia patients when they're in such an unfamiliar environment."

Conducting a Clinical Trial

With Kabinoff’s support, D’Elia took her idea for a walk around the block.

Every study begins with a sample population. In this case, that meant enrolling roughly 100 eligible patients who were 65+ years of age, were diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia, and were admitted to Sarasota Memorial. Half were in the the Control Group, which received the standard of care throughout the study, and the other half were in the Intervention Group, which also received interactive robotic pets as companions during their hospital stay and were able to take them home after.

More than just a stuffed animal or a wind-up toy, these life-size, battery-powered best friends encourage interaction and reaction by responding to touch. Cats will purr soothingly in a patient's lap and even turn over for belly rubs, while puppies wag their tails and snuggle, letting patients feel their little heartbeats. The hope was that this interaction would stimulate the brain, provide entertainment, and alleviate loneliness. (Importantly, patients in the Intervention Group were allowed to choose whether they wanted a cat or a dog.)

In all other ways, both groups received the precise same standard of care.

Throughout the study, patient health and wellbeing were measured by a number of variables, including changes in delirium and pain levels, length of hospital stay, frequency of falls, blood pressure, heart rate, and more.

At the end of the study, D’Elia was happy to find multiple meaningful benefits from giving patients the robotic pets.

“We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from family members and staff…and learned that companionship and moments of joy can make a meaningful difference during a hospital stay,” she says.

With the trial now complete, the Sarasota Memorial team plans to share final results and explore opportunities to expand the use of robotic pets to different areas.

To learn more, watch the video below:

Written by Sarasota Memorial copywriter Philip Lederer, MA, who crafts a variety of external communications for the healthcare system. SMH's in-house wordsmith, Lederer earned his Master's degree in Public Administration and Political Philosophy from Morehead State University, KY.