Roboterapia-paro em pessoas idosas com perturbação neurocognitiva

Abstract

Introduction: Robotherapy-PARO has been recognized for its results in the context of non-pharmacological therapies for elderly people with neurocognitive impairment (PNC). This study focuses on the evaluation of the elderly person's response with PNC major, institutionalized, for this type of therapy. Methods: It is an quasi experimental study with assessments in the pre, during and post-intervention phases that evaluated the effect of Robotherapy-PARO on elderly people with PNC major. It also included the translation and cultural adaptation of the "Caregiver's Manual for Robotherapy". Ten participants were submitted to individual Robotherapy sessions using a robot device with the appearance of a baby seal (PARO). The sessions were 30 minutes long, twice a week, for 8 weeks. In the pre and post intervention period, each participant was administered, the Global Deterioration Scale scales – to assess the degree of cognitive deterioration, Neuropsychiatric Inventory – to assess neuropsychiatric symptoms and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia – to assess the states of depression. In the weeks one, three, six and eight, video-recording sessions were also carried out for the evaluation of the behaviors. Results: A total of 8 participants have completed the study. At the INP level, significant improvements were observed (z=−2,00; p = 0,046; dcohen=1,633). The Wilcoxon classification test showed that verbal communication skills (z=−1,73; p = 0,083; dcohen=1,414), Interpersonal relationship (z=−1,00; p = 0,317; dcohen=0,707) and interaction with the PARO (z=−1,134; p = 0,257; dcohen=0,817) a large size of effect was obtained, which corresponds to improvement after the sessions of Robotherapy-PARO. Conclusions: Gradual improvements were verified at the level of verbal communication, facial expression, interpersonal relationship, interaction with PARO, increase in the frequency and duration of the participants ' glances, gestures and mood manifestations. The implementation of non-pharmacological therapies in the daily care plan of elderly people with PNC may bring multiple benefits in the control of SNP.

Date of Award	19 Nov 2019
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	João Costa Amado (Supervisor) & Rosa Silva (Co-Supervisor)