Assessing the Effects of Robotic Pets on Patients With Dementia in the Acute Care Hospital Setting

Launched by SARASOTA MEMORIAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM · Nov 8, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is testing whether giving an interactive Joy for All robotic pet to older adults (65+) with dementia who are in the hospital can help reduce delirium and improve other hospital outcomes, compared with standard care. In this randomized trial at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, about 106 patients will be assigned by chance to either receive the robotic pet within 48 hours of admission and keep it during their stay (plus after discharge if applicable) or receive no robotic pet. Delirium will be checked regularly using the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale, and researchers will also track things like the need for IV psychotropic medicines, length of stay, restraint use, falls, “Code Grey” events, IV catheter problems, delirium-related orders, and the use of patient safety attendants or room cameras (up to 60 days).

To be eligible, patients must be 65 or older, have dementia documented in their chart, be admitted to the hospital’s designated units, and have a NuDESC score of 0–4 when joining the study. Those under 65, or with NuDESC scores over 4, or who have paranoia, hallucinations, severe agitation, alcohol or substance withdrawal, or certain isolation precautions, cannot participate. If you or a loved one joins, you can expect to be part of a two-group setup, with some nurses answering a short acceptability survey about the robotic pet as a therapy option. The trial is currently enrolling by invitation, started in 2024, and is planned to complete around the end of 2025.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• * Patients with:
• • Dementia indicated in the patient's chart
• • Admitted to the designated medical-surgical units at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
• • Ages 65 and older
• • NuDESC score will be 0-4 during study enrollment.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• * Patients who are:
• • \<65 years old
• • NuDESC score \>4 during study enrollment
• • Patients at risk for alcohol withdrawal or substance abuse withdrawal
• • Enhanced isolation precautions (c.diff)
• • Presenting with paranoia, hallucinations, or severe agitation