Use of Humanoid Robot in Dementia Care: A Literature Review

Dementia is a prevalent age-related disease that affects an individual’s quality of life. Cognitive decline is the most common symptom of dementia that consequently causes problems with memory, language, and apathy, communication, thinking ability, difficulty in problem-solving and doing their daily living activities independently. In recent years, researchers have tried to improve the quality of life of people living with dementia by utilizing new technologies such as robots. This study aims to investigate specifically the application of humanoid robots in refuting the risk of dementia by focusing on three approaches: 1) cognitive-communication improvement, 2) psychomotor therapy, and 3) music therapy. The results indicate that having humanoid robots as companions may serve as an effective therapy that helps people living with dementia (PLwD) with their cognitive function, motor skills, language, and communication skill. It also may decrease psychiatric symptoms by involving PLwD which will lead to improvement in their quality of life. The humanoid robots can also help reduce cognitive decline by helping PLwD perform exercises.