Use of seal-like robot PARO in sensory group therapy for older adults with dementia

This work presents the preliminary results of an eight- week study of the seal-like robot PARO being used in a sensory therapy activity in a local nursing home. Participants were older adults with different levels of cognitive impairment,. We analyzed participant behaviors in video recorded during the weekly interactions between older adults, a therapist, and PARO. We found that PARO's continued use led to a steady increase in physical interaction between older adults and the robot and an increasing willingness among participants to interact with it.