According to Medical Xpress, Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Florida conducted a one-year trial using robot pets for patients with mild to moderate dementia.
The aim was to determine whether the technology could create a greater sense of calm and security during hospitalization.
The trial has not yet been published in a scientific journal.
Faster discharge
The most noticeable difference appeared at discharge. Patients who had a robot animal during their hospital stay were discharged sooner than other patients.
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They were also more likely to return to their own homes rather than move to a nursing facility, according to information from the hospital.
Shorter hospital stays can benefit both patients and hospitals. Prolonged admissions may increase the risk of complications in older adults.
Fewer problems along the way
Hospitalization can be confusing for people with dementia and may, in some cases, lead to delirium, which can delay recovery.
In the trial, half of the participants received a robotic cat or dog that responds to touch and sound.
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According to hospital data, this group experienced fewer dangerous fluctuations in heart rate and blood pressure. The risk of falls was also lower.
This suggests that a sense of security and stimulation may play a role in physical stability.
Need for more research
According to Medical Xpress, the hospital highlights that the trial demonstrates new possibilities in care.
At the same time, the results come from a single hospital, and the effect has not yet been widely studied.
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Further research is therefore needed before the method can be implemented on a larger scale.
Sources: Medical Xpress.
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