While organizing the table, she looks uneasy with something in her hands (after 6 min). She
hears the voice of the other users between the quizzes and shows an unpleasant expression
(after 14 min).
7.2 Effects of IT/AI and Communication Robot Use
Overall, disgust and joy were observed in the participants, with the other emotions
being almost undetected. Moreover, in the W condition, the value of disgust was
lower and the value of joy was higher than those without the robot, although this was
not statistically significant. These findings suggest that the introduction of Pepper
evoked positive emotions and reduced the emotions that indicate discomfort.
The value of joy indicated a substantial temporal variation when Pepper was set.
Based on the result of the individual case of participant A, the temporal variation in
the value of joy is possibly related to the number of peaks of emotions detected.
Overall, the temporal change in emotions in this analysis tended to indicate occasional peaks among low values, instead of continuously high values. Considering
that the participants were users of a long-term care facility, it is unlikely that they
would constantly be expressing their emotions with smiles and unpleasant faces;
instead, they presumably maintain neutral expressions that change with the sporadic
events around them. Therefore, it is possible that the introduction of Pepper in a
long-term care facility, where the users are likely to maintain a neutral expression
most of the time, works as an incentive for people to express joyful emotions.
Moreover, the existence of communication robots would encourage users’ social
communications. Obayashi, Kodate, and Masuyama (2018) introduced a communication robot into a caregiving home and investigated its effects, finding that conversation between older adults and caregivers increased. Hamada et al. (2006)
investigated the effectiveness of robot therapy for older adults and reported improvements in their communication, such as in facial expression and conversation.
Communication robots may intervene in the conversation and enhance the motivation to communicate with each other.
8 Summary and Conclusions
In this chapter, we discussed the importance of psychological care for older adults
with dementia in the context of caregiving in Japan as well as the recent trends in the
field of healthcare using robot technology. There were challenges in the verification
and measurement methods concerning the introduction of communication robots, for
example, “what should be used and how? what kind of results can be achieved?” We
therefore discussed one study implemented to derive solutions to these issues.
Hereafter, it is necessary to continue investigating the status of introducing things
Information Technology/Artificial Intelligence Innovations Needed for Better. . .
51
hears the voice of the other users between the quizzes and shows an unpleasant expression
(after 14 min).
7.2 Effects of IT/AI and Communication Robot Use
Overall, disgust and joy were observed in the participants, with the other emotions
being almost undetected. Moreover, in the W condition, the value of disgust was
lower and the value of joy was higher than those without the robot, although this was
not statistically significant. These findings suggest that the introduction of Pepper
evoked positive emotions and reduced the emotions that indicate discomfort.
The value of joy indicated a substantial temporal variation when Pepper was set.
Based on the result of the individual case of participant A, the temporal variation in
the value of joy is possibly related to the number of peaks of emotions detected.
Overall, the temporal change in emotions in this analysis tended to indicate occasional peaks among low values, instead of continuously high values. Considering
that the participants were users of a long-term care facility, it is unlikely that they
would constantly be expressing their emotions with smiles and unpleasant faces;
instead, they presumably maintain neutral expressions that change with the sporadic
events around them. Therefore, it is possible that the introduction of Pepper in a
long-term care facility, where the users are likely to maintain a neutral expression
most of the time, works as an incentive for people to express joyful emotions.
Moreover, the existence of communication robots would encourage users’ social
communications. Obayashi, Kodate, and Masuyama (2018) introduced a communication robot into a caregiving home and investigated its effects, finding that conversation between older adults and caregivers increased. Hamada et al. (2006)
investigated the effectiveness of robot therapy for older adults and reported improvements in their communication, such as in facial expression and conversation.
Communication robots may intervene in the conversation and enhance the motivation to communicate with each other.
8 Summary and Conclusions
In this chapter, we discussed the importance of psychological care for older adults
with dementia in the context of caregiving in Japan as well as the recent trends in the
field of healthcare using robot technology. There were challenges in the verification
and measurement methods concerning the introduction of communication robots, for
example, “what should be used and how? what kind of results can be achieved?” We
therefore discussed one study implemented to derive solutions to these issues.
Hereafter, it is necessary to continue investigating the status of introducing things
Information Technology/Artificial Intelligence Innovations Needed for Better. . .
51