Using telepresence for social connection: views of older people with dementia, families, and health professionals from a mixed methods pilot study

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the acceptability of telepresence robots in dementia care from the perspectives of people with dementia, family carers, and health professionals/trainees, and investigate the utility of a social presence assessment tool, the Modified-Temple Presence Inventory (Modified-TPI), for people with dementia.

Method: A mixed-methods pilot study conducted in a social robotics laboratory. Three participant groups (n = 22) – dyads of people with dementia and their carers (n = 5 respectively), and health professionals/trainees (n = 12) – participated in individual one-off intervention sessions with the telepresence robot, Giraff, with follow-up interviews. Sessions covered how to use Giraff, followed by interactive practice in making a video-call involving conversation and manoeuvring of Giraff. Participants with dementia experienced receiving a call made by their carer; healthcare professionals/trainees experienced making and receiving a call. Outcomes of interest were sense of presence [Modified-TPI], affective response (International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule [I-PANAS-S]; Observable Displays of Affect Scale [ODAS]), and attitudes and reactions to Giraff (semi-structured interviews).

Results: Participants reported a sense of authenticity and social connection through the experience. They indicated positive social presence through Giraff, and significantly higher positive (mean score 18.77; ±4.00) than negative affect (mean score 8.05; ±1.76) on the I-PANAS-SF, and on the facial display subscale of the ODAS (positive – mean score 15.50; ±3.51 versus negative – mean score 4.00; ±0.00).

Conclusion: Telepresence has potential use in situations where people with dementia require social connection. Studies with larger sample sizes, varied characteristics, and cost-effectiveness analysis are needed to inform the application of telepresence in healthcare practice.

Keywords:

• Communication
• dementia
• social connection
• technology

Acknowledgements

We thank all individuals who participated in this research.

Disclosure statement

No conflicts of interest are reported.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, 2016.

Notes on contributors

Wendy Moyle

WM, CJ, TO, and BS conceived and designed the study, and WM and CJ wrote the proposal. TD and CJ undertook the statistical analysis, and TD, WM, and CJ undertook the qualitative analysis. TD and WM prepared a first manuscript draft. All authors interpreted the data, provided conceptual comment and revision, and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Cindy Jones

WM, CJ, TO, and BS conceived and designed the study, and WM and CJ wrote the proposal. TD and CJ undertook the statistical analysis, and TD, WM, and CJ undertook the qualitative analysis. TD and WM prepared a first manuscript draft. All authors interpreted the data, provided conceptual comment and revision, and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Toni Dwan

WM, CJ, TO, and BS conceived and designed the study, and WM and CJ wrote the proposal. TD and CJ undertook the statistical analysis, and TD, WM, and CJ undertook the qualitative analysis. TD and WM prepared a first manuscript draft. All authors interpreted the data, provided conceptual comment and revision, and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Tamara Ownsworth

WM, CJ, TO, and BS conceived and designed the study, and WM and CJ wrote the proposal. TD and CJ undertook the statistical analysis, and TD, WM, and CJ undertook the qualitative analysis. TD and WM prepared a first manuscript draft. All authors interpreted the data, provided conceptual comment and revision, and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Billy Sung

WM, CJ, TO, and BS conceived and designed the study, and WM and CJ wrote the proposal. TD and CJ undertook the statistical analysis, and TD, WM, and CJ undertook the qualitative analysis. TD and WM prepared a first manuscript draft. All authors interpreted the data, provided conceptual comment and revision, and approved the final version of the manuscript.