When you think of robots, robotic servers, surgical robots, pneumatic-powered robotic systems, and even crime-fighting robots come to mind, right? However, during the past few years, there has been a steady increase in the use of robotics.
Today, medical robotics has advanced to the point that doctors are using a brand-new fleet of robots for pet therapy with patients who suffer from mental health conditions including dementia and chronic loneliness, among others.
Animal-assisted therapy has been reported to help individuals cope with stress, reduce depression, prevent loneliness and improve socialization.
A pet can also be a burden for a patient receiving home health care or hospice care. This article will focus on how robot pet therapy can address mental health illnesses.
Mental Health Issues and Ways to Treat It
A mental illness is characterized by a significant disturbance in a person's cognition, emotional regulation and behavior. It is associated with stress and impairments in important areas of functioning.
As per WHO reports in 2019, one in every eight people or 970 million people worldwide had mental illnesses such as anxiety and depressive disorders.
Moreover, in 2020 this number increased due to Covid 19. The estimation states that anxiety has increased by 26% and 28% in the past two years. Although several treatment options still exist, people with mental disorders cannot access effective care.
Therefore the emergence of robotics in mental health treatment has occurred. As far as mental health is concerned, the future of therapy is faster than planned. In the past few decades, the appearance of mental health care has disastrously changed. As it has evolved from soft conversations held in small rooms to teletherapy. Nowadays more and more people are using robotics to treat mental health. With this you should also know about the biggest future trends in health care as it has provided significant growth to the healthcare industry.
Robotics in Mental Health Care
Beard and the Alcare Home Health & Hospice team started working on the project to investigate the effects of robotic pets on patients.
In the study, it was discovered that Hospice patients are experiencing anxiety due to dementia and other patients are also at risk for isolation. Furthermore, the patients were paired with robotic joy for all companion pets and the clinical history was collected after and before the pet placement.
The study allowed the patient's family members and caregivers to speak about how the pet improved their interactions with the patient and how the shift influenced the patient and their relationship.
Moreover, the patient's interactions with the robotic companion pet reduced anxiety symptoms, improved communication skills, and it also improved the patient's overall well-being.
In general, the data gathered from the Companion Pet Pilot Research indicated a significant decrease in agitation, social isolation, and displays of grief among the study participants. With this some also needed less medication.
Most of those who participated in the study reported benefits that significantly improved their quality of life after having a robotic companion pet in the house.
Beard said that the patients began interacting with their pets and were willing to speak to others. For a family member of a dementia patient, witnessing a loved one who struggles with communication and tries to open up to another person can be a life-changing moment.
Better interpersonal communication has resulted from interacting with artificial animals. So these significant effects have been shown in elderly persons who, after spending time with their realistic, interactive pets, have improved memories and better relationships with their family members.
Another advantage of robot pet therapy is that the amount of medication and other costly treatments reduce with the introduction of robotic pets.
Recognizing potential consequences is crucial, as treating each patient uniquely and allowing them to develop a bond with a companion animal before leaving it with them creates a significant impact on mental wellness.
Robotic dogs and cats are proliferating in childcare centers and elderly homes. These robots used in pet therapy with older people with dementia and other illnesses. The company Joy for All is one of many that sells these robots to assist the older population.
According to research, the availability of robotic companion animals is enhancing the quality of life for senior citizens in terms of depression and social isolation. The key findings are:
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Robotic companion cats improve dementia patients' quality of life and overall well-being.
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Robotic dogs improved the quality of life for patients and their families by significantly reducing agitation and social isolation in those who received them.
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Robotic pets might be a practical solution to reduce behavioral issues in ICU delirium patients.
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The sense of loneliness can be reduced with the help of companion animals.
Ted Fischer, CEO and co-founder of Ageless Innovation, stated, "Loneliness and social isolation are an epidemic and impacting so many older adults and their families." It is the global company behind the pioneering line of Joy for all companies, Pets.
With this, the extended reality in healthcare has enabled surgeons to look beyond the human body and work limitlessly.
Conclusion
Robots have long accompanied humans. Pet therapy robots are a unique robot designed to offer comfort, warmth, and the experience of having a living pet without the hassles of keeping one at home or a daycare facility. These robots have demonstrated the ability to lessen sadness, lessen loneliness, improve socialization among older people, and successfully lessen the impacts of various mental health disorders.
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