Hoping to ‘seal’ the deal

He had not uttered a word in two years, but this changed the day Millie entered his life, according to Professor Wendy Moyle, who is the director of the Research Centre for Clinical and Community Practice Innovation at Griffith University.

Professor Moyle tells DPS News that Millie, who is a “furry pet-like” seal robot, is the thing which reportedly helped this resident (who chooses not be named) speak for the first time in years. However, Millie’s presence has also had an effect on other dementia-affected residents.

Professor Moyle is now investigating the benefits that the Japanese invented and produced robotic seals may have on Australian aged care residents, after conducting a small-scale study of 18 residents with dementia, who reportedly showed a reduction in anxiety and wandering at the end of the trial.

The robotic seals, which cost about $4,500 each, have the ability to respond to touch, temperature, voice and sound, and can learn to react to words used frequently by their owners. The seal likes to be patted and cries for attention; its tactile sensors enable it to move its tail and open its eyes when petted.

It can express emotions such as surprise, happiness and anger and will cry if it is not getting enough petting time. It can also produce sounds similar to a real baby seal and is active during the day and asleep at night.

Professor Moyle says the process of introducing the robotic seals to residents involves more than just “putting a toy” in a facility and waiting to see what happens.

“It’s about human interaction,” she says. “We’re trying to get a reaction out of residents who don’t usually respond to this type of interaction,” she adds.

“Our research compared the effects of the robot and participation in a reading group in terms of social engagement, communication and quality of life in people living with moderate to severe dementia in a residential care setting. It also looked at changes in participants’ emotional state.

“You and I like to play, but a person with dementia does not have much of an opportunity… it gives them the chance to see something new; something of interest,” she says.

While every resident responds differently, Professor Moyle claims the robots are particularly useful for people with more limited cognition.

Researchers have, in the past, found pet therapy to have a positive effect on older people, but Professor Moyle says the robotic seal may change this theory as she outlines some of the negatives about having ‘real-life’ pets in a facility.

“The presence of animals in residential care settings can place residents at risk of infection and create a number of other problems including increased stress for animals that are repeatedly fed and handled,” she says.

Professor Moyle and her colleagues will, next month, seek funds to purchase more robot seals and conduct a larger, more controlled study into the use of these seals should funding be granted.

To read DPS News’ story, published in August, on the benefits of these robot seals, click here.