Intelligent Dolls And Robots For The Treatment Of Elderly People With Dementia

Dolls and robots are effective and beneficial non-pharmacological therapies applied in different clinical settings. Doll therapy (DT), principally based on Bowlby's attachment theory, uses an empathy or lifelike baby doll to awaken caring behaviors in patients. Robot therapies (RT) involve care robots that have a friendly attitude and appearance. They evoke different verbal, motor and emotional reactions in patients. Both DT and RT are person-centred therapies that provide patients with a realistic experience with the aim of improving their wellbeing. These therapies can be used in people suffering from different neurological, psychological and mental health disorders, such as Alzheimer's Disease, autism spectrum disorder, stress or depression. In this paper, the characteristics of both therapies, their benefits and the possibilities for innovation in the therapeutic field are presented.