The effect of intervention using an emotional recognition coaching companion robot on the elderly people with depression

Purpose During the COVID-19 pandemic, care for the elderly in the community was greatly limited. Accordingly, the demand for alternative community care can cope with changing situations is increasing. In this study we found that if companion robot improve mood state and related problem in depressive or isolated elderly. Method For 186 community dwelling elderly who have received social welfare service due to depression or social isolation, we provided companion robot that could support their daily living and allow them enjoying entertainment. And the robot was equipped with special program, helped recognize their own emotion. It was part of behavioral activation techniques which is one of powerful depression treatment. The self-report questionnaire was used to measure changes cognitive function, depression, suicidality, loneliness, resilience and satisfaction of life. Outcomes were measured before using companion robot and after 3 months, and we compared them. Results and Discussion We were confirmed that the elderly using companion robot improved cognitive function, depression, suicidality and loneliness. After 3 month using robot, cognitive impairment was decreased (45.7% to 30.1%) and depression (p<0.001), suicidal ideation (p<0.001), loneliness (p=0.033) were also decreased. Resilience (p=0.749) and satisfaction of life (p=0.246) were increased but not statistically significant. These results showed that the use companion robot with emotional recognition coaching program could help improve depression, cognitive function, loneliness and suicidal ideation. In particular, this effect was also useful for those who were diagnosed with depression. Also if we can put more techniques of behavioral activation programs into robot, it could be useful in community care for depressive elderly who isolated.