Social Robot Interventions in Mental Health Care and Their Outcomes, Barriers, and Facilitators: Scoping Review

Robot therapy aids mental health in patients with hematological malignancy during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a protective isolation unit

Patients with hematological malignancy experience physical and psychological pain, such as a sense of isolation and confinement due to intensive chemotherapy in a protective isolation unit (PIU). We examined whether the intervention of a robotic puppy, aibo (manufactured by Sony), could improve patients' mental health as an alternative therapy for pet therapy, which is not feasible in PIU. This study included 21 patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) (n = 16) or autologous HSCT (n = 5). The patients were randomly divided into the aibo and control groups. Psychological effects were regularly assessed by measuring the levels of salivary stress hormone chromogranin A (CgA), serum oxytocin, and serum cortisol and the quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report (QIDS-SR) scores. The aibo group demonstrated a significant decrease in CgA level, while the control group showed the opposite trend. In addition, changes in serum oxytocin and cortisol levels indicated that aibo helped reduce stress. There was no significant difference in the QIDS-SR scores between the two groups; however, the psychomotor activity in the aibo group improved significantly. These findings suggest that aibo intervention during a stay in a PIU can improve the mental health of patients with hematological malignancies who have undergone HSCT.

Social robotics for children: an investigation of manufacturers' claims

As the market for commercial children's social robots grows, manufacturers' claims around the functionality and outcomes of their products have the potential to impact consumer purchasing decisions. In this work, we qualitatively and quantitatively assess the content and scientific support for claims about social robots for children made on manufacturers' websites. A sample of 21 robot websites was obtained using location-independent keyword searches on Google, Yahoo, and Bing from April to July 2021. All claims made on manufacturers' websites about robot functionality and outcomes (n = 653 statements) were subjected to content analysis, and the quality of evidence for these claims was evaluated using a validated quality evaluation tool. Social robot manufacturers made clear claims about the impact of their products in the areas of interaction, education, emotion, and adaptivity. Claims tended to focus on the child rather than the parent or other users. Robots were primarily described in the context of interactive, educational, and emotional uses, rather than being for health, safety, or security. The quality of the information used to support these claims was highly variable and at times potentially misleading. Many websites used language implying that robots had interior thoughts and experiences; for example, that they would love the child. This study provides insight into the content and quality of parent-facing manufacturer claims regarding commercial social robots for children.

Research Hotspots and Trends of Social Robot Interaction Design: A Bibliometric Analysis

(1) Background: Social robot interaction design is crucial for determining user acceptance and experience. However, few studies have systematically discussed the current focus and future research directions of social robot interaction design from a bibliometric perspective. Therefore, we conducted this study in order to identify the latest research progress and evolution trajectory of research hotspots in social robot interaction design over the last decade. (2) Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review based on 2416 papers related to social robot interaction design obtained from the Web of Science (WOS) database. Our review utilized bibliometric techniques and integrated VOSviewer and CiteSpace to construct a knowledge map. (3) Conclusions: The current research hotspots of social robot interaction design mainly focus on #1 the study of human-robot relationships in social robots, #2 research on the emotional design of social robots, #3 research on social robots for children's psychotherapy, #4 research on companion robots for elderly rehabilitation, and #5 research on educational social robots. The reference co-citation analysis identifies the classic literature that forms the basis of the current research, which provides theoretical guidance and methods for the current research. Finally, we discuss several future research directions and challenges in this field.

Assessing Feasibility of Cognitive Impairment Testing Using Social Robotic Technology Augmented with Affective Computing and Emotional State Detection Systems

Social robots represent a valid opportunity to manage the diagnosis, treatment, care, and support of older people with dementia. The aim of this study is to validate the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test administered by the Pepper robot equipped with systems to detect psychophysical and emotional states in older patients. Our main result is that the Pepper robot is capable of administering the MMSE and that cognitive status is not a determinant in the effective use of a social robot. People with mild cognitive impairment appreciate the robot, as it interacts with them. Acceptability does not relate strictly to the user experience, but the willingness to interact with the robot is an important variable for engagement. We demonstrate the feasibility of a novel approach that, in the future, could lead to more natural human-machine interaction when delivering cognitive tests with the aid of a social robot and a Computational Psychophysiology Module (CPM).

Perspectives of Healthcare Providers to Inform the Design of an AI-Enhanced Social Robot in the Pediatric Emergency Department

Children commonly experience pain and distress in healthcare settings related to medical procedures such as blood tests and intravenous insertions (IVIs). Inadequately addressed pain and distress can result in both short- and long-term negative consequences. The use of socially assistive robotics (SARs) to reduce procedure-related distress and pain in children's healthcare settings has shown promise; however, the current options lack autonomous adaptability. This study presents a descriptive qualitative needs assessment of healthcare providers (HCPs) in two Canadian pediatric emergency departments (ED) to inform the design an artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced social robot to be used as a distraction tool in the ED to facilitate IVIs. Semi-structured virtual individual and focus group interviews were conducted with eleven HCPs. Four main themes were identified: (1) common challenges during IVIs (i.e., child distress and resource limitations), (2) available tools for pain and distress management during IVIs (i.e., pharmacological and non-pharmacological), (3) response to SAR appearance and functionality (i.e., personalized emotional support, adaptive distraction based on child's preferences, and positive reinforcement), and (4) anticipated benefits and challenges of SAR in the ED (i.e., ensuring developmentally appropriate interactions and space limitations). HCPs perceive AI-enhanced social robots as a promising tool for distraction during IVIs in the ED.

Supporting Remote Social Robot Design Collaboration with Online Canvases: Lessons Learned from Facilitators' and Participants' Experiences

Social robot design projects typically involve multidisciplinary teamwork and collaboration, adopt a Human-Centred Design (HCD) approach, and deal with physical (tangible) objects, i.e., robots. HCD takes a human to the centre point of the design process. A typical activity in HCD are design workshops where a facilitator is needed to guide and moderate the task-related and interactional activities throughout the session. Facilitation is also usually needed in longer-term design projects or courses to guide participants through the different phases of design during several sessions. Recently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most design activities including social robot design were rapidly transferred to online mode. Designing for tangible objects is challenging in online settings because the interaction experience with a physical object is hard to demonstrate online. In this article, we report how we harnessed online canvases to support both short-term social robot design workshops and a long-term design course. Based on participants' feedback and facilitators' experiences, we report lessons learned from utilizing collaborative design canvases for creative social robot design projects that specifically focus on early stages and concept ideation. We propose practical guidelines for canvas-based online facilitation focusing on creative design workshops and projects. In addition, we discuss the lessons learned concerning social robot design activities taking place in online mode. To respond to the challenges of designing tangible robots in a fully online mode, we suggest a Hybrid Robotic Design Model (HRDM), where the participants work in contact with facilitators, other participants and robots at specific points, while the other phases are conducted online.

Immersive robotic telepresence system to support a person with intellectual and motor disabilities perform a daily task: a case study

Purpose

In this proof-of-concept study, the authors assessed the feasibility of using a humanoid robot controlled remotely via an immersive telepresence system to support a person with intellectual and motor disabilities performing a daily task (i.e. setting a table for lunch).

Design/methodology/approach

The system involved a head-mounted display and two joysticks. A teleoperator was able to see through the video cameras of the robot and deliver the instructions verbally to the participant located in a different room. To assess the system, a baseline phase (A) was followed by an intervention (i.e. tele-operated support) phase (B) and a return to a baseline phase (A).

Findings

Data showed a marked increase in the average frequency of task steps correctly performed from baseline (M = 15%) to intervention (M = 93%). Accuracy reached 100% in the return to baseline.

Originality/value

These preliminary findings, along with qualitative feedback from users, suggest that an immersive telepresence system may be used to provide remote support to people with intellectual and motor disabilities.

Soziale Roboter im Schweizer Gesundheitswesen – Einsatzmöglichkeiten, Chancen und Risiken aus der Sicht von potenziellen Anwendergruppen

Dieser Beitrag der Zeitschrift Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO) berichtet und vertieft die Ergebnisse eines interprofessionellen Projektes im Auftrag der TA-SWISS (Stiftung für Technologiefolgen-Abschätzung). In dem Projekt wurde u. a. untersucht, wie soziale Roboter aus der Sicht von Gesundheitsfachpersonen und von Bewohnerinnen und Bewohnern eines Alterszentrums zukünftig in der Schweiz eingesetzt werden können und welche Chancen und Risiken sie bei diesem Einsatz sehen. Hintergrund dieser Fragestellung war, dass soziale Roboter zunehmend im Gesundheitsbereich eingesetzt werden, die Perspektiven der potenziellen Anwenderinnen und Anwender jedoch nur wenig bekannt sind. Daher wurde mit einem explorativen Studiendesign im August 2020 ein Workshop („Round Table Gesundheit“) mit 26 Teilnehmenden durchgeführt, der Roboterszenarien, vier Fokusgruppeninterviews und eine Nachbefragung beinhaltete. Es zeigte sich in der vertieften Analyse, dass sich die von den Teilnehmenden genannten Einsatzmöglichkeiten von sozialen Robotern einerseits in zwei Anwendergruppen („Patientinnen/Patienten“ und „Gesundheitsfachpersonen“) und andererseits in zwei Rollen des sozialen Roboters (persönlich zugeordnet – „persönlicher Buddy/Assistent“ und nicht persönlich zugeordnet – „hilfreicher Kollege“) einteilen liessen. Die Chancen und Risiken sozialer Roboter liessen sich in die drei Spannungsfelder „Selbstbestimmung vs. soziale Isolation“, „Entlastung vs. Belastung & Abhängigkeit“ und „Sicherheit vs. Gefahren“ kategorisieren. Von potenziellen Anwenderinnen und Anwendern werden somit vielfältige Einsatzmöglichkeiten und Chancen für soziale Roboter im Gesundheitsbereich gesehen. Gleichzeitig gilt es auch die Risiken zu berücksichtigen und zu minimieren, damit soziale Roboter zukünftig erfolgreich in der Praxis eingesetzt werden können.