Co-STAR: Cognitive Stimulation Therapy by an Autonomous Robot for Dementia -- A One-Week In-Home Study

2026-07-06

AI Summary

This study addresses the limited accessibility of cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) for individuals with dementia, a barrier largely due to shortages of trained personnel and the high burden on caregivers. To overcome this challenge, the research presents the first deployment of an autonomous social robot delivering daily CST sessions over seven consecutive days in real-world home settings. The system integrates standardized therapeutic content, mechanisms to promote user engagement, and design features supporting family involvement. Results demonstrate that participants completed nearly half of the scheduled sessions, exhibiting higher adherence than typically observed in caregiver-led approaches. These findings validate the feasibility of using socially assistive robots to deliver evidence-based cognitive interventions in domestic environments and highlight the critical role of family members in facilitating effective human–robot interaction.

Abstract

Cognitive therapies have been shown to enhance the quality of life and well-being of people living with dementia (PwDs). However, their use remains limited due to a shortage of trained professionals and the significant time and training required of informal caregivers. To address this gap, we developed and deployed a social robot capable of autonomously delivering cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) in the home. Nine PwDs participated in a one-week ($7$ days) study that involved daily robot-led sessions. Participants engaged positively with the system, completing nearly half of the scheduled sessions, an adherence rate higher than typically observed in caregiver-led CST. Our findings also highlight the crucial role of family members, who often supported session initiation and occasionally joined the activities, enriching the interactions. This work demonstrates the feasibility and potential of socially assistive robots to deliver in-home cognitive therapy, offering a scalable approach to extend access to dementia care.

Problem

• dementia
• cognitive stimulation therapy
• socially assistive robots
• in-home care
• caregiver burden

Innovation

• socially assistive robot
• cognitive stimulation therapy
• autonomous delivery
• in-home intervention
• dementia care