1887
  1. Home
  2. e-Journals
  3. Interaction Studies
  4. Volume 20, Issue 3
  5. Article
Volume 20, Issue 3
  • ISSN 1572-0373
  • E-ISSN: 1572-0381
USD
Buy:$35.00 + Taxes

Abstract

Abstract

Researchers have reported that companion robots have had positive effects on older adults with depression. However, there has been little quantitative analysis on the relationship between robot design and depression. To address this, we surveyed 191 older adults and investigated the impact of age, gender and depression level on design preferences for companion robots. We focused on toy-sized companion robots and evaluated three design elements: type, weight and material. The findings show that baby-type robots were the most preferred by older adults. They favoured the lightest weights and microfibre materials, regardless of the independent variables. Moreover, robot weight preferences varied significantly with the level of depression. Highly depressed older adults disliked heavy robots. These preliminary findings suggest that companion robots need to be designed with careful consideration of their physical characteristics and potential psychological effects.

© John Benjamins Publishing Company
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1075/is.18070.oh
2019-11-18
2025-06-20

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/10.1075/is.18070.oh
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Journal -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Aarts, S., Peek, S. T. M., & Wouters, E. J. M.
    (2015) The relation between social network site usage and loneliness and mental health in community-dwelling older adults. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 30(9), 942–949. 10.1002/gps.4241
     https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.4241 [Google Scholar]
  2. Agrawal, S.
    (2012) Effect of living arrangement on the health status of elderly in India: Findings from a national cross sectional survey. Asian Population Studies, 8(1), 87–101. 10.1080/17441730.2012.646842
     https://doi.org/10.1080/17441730.2012.646842 [Google Scholar]
  3. Bae, J. N., & Cho, M. J.
    (2004) Development of the Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale and its short form among elderly psychiatric patients. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 57(3), 297–305. 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2004.01.004
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2004.01.004 [Google Scholar]
  4. Banks, M. R., Willoughby, L. M., & Banks, W. A.
    (2008) Animal-assisted therapy and loneliness in nursing Homes: Use of robotic versus living dogs. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 9(3), 173–177. 10.1016/j.jamda.2007.11.007
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2007.11.007 [Google Scholar]
  5. Beekman, A. T. F., Penninx, B. W. J. H., Deeg, D. J. H., Beurs, E. de, Geerlings, S. W., & Tilburg, W. van
    (2002) The impact of depression on the well-being, disability and use of services in older adults: a longitudinal perspective. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 105(1), 20–27. 10.1034/j.1600‑0447.2002.10078.x
     https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0447.2002.10078.x [Google Scholar]
  6. Bemelmans, R., Gelderblom, G. J., Jonker, P., & de Witte, L.
    (2015) Effectiveness of robot Paro in intramural psychogeriatric care: A multicenter quasi-experimental study. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 16(11), 946–950. 10.1016/j.jamda.2015.05.007
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2015.05.007 [Google Scholar]
  7. Penninx, B. W. J. H., Geerlings, S. W., Deeg, D. J. H., van Eijk, J. T. M., van Tilburg, W., Beekman, A. T. F.
    (1999) Minor and Major Depression and the Risk of Death in Older Persons. Archives of General Psychiatry, 56(10), 889–895. doi:  10.1001/archpsyc.56.10.889
     https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.56.10.889 [Google Scholar]
  8. Broekens, Joost, Heerink, Marcel, & Rosendal, H.
    (2009) Assistive social robots in elderly care: a review. Gerontechnology, 8(2), 94–103. 10.4017/gt.2009.08.02.002.00
     https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2009.08.02.002.00 [Google Scholar]
  9. Brummett, B. H., Barefoot, J. C., Siegler, I. C., & Steffens, D. C.
    (2000) Relation of subjective and received social support to clinical and self-report assessments of depressive symptoms in an elderly population. Journal of Affective Disorders, 61(1), 41–50. 10.1016/S0165‑0327(99)00191‑3
     https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0327(99)00191-3 [Google Scholar]
  10. Byers, A. L., Yaffe, K., Covinsky, K. E., Friedman, M. B., & Bruce, M. L.
    (2010) High Occurrence of Mood and Anxiety Disorders Among Older Adults: The National Comorbidity Survey ReplicationHigh Mood/Anxiety Disorder Rates in Older Adults. Archives of General Psychiatry, 67(5), 489–496. 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.35
     https://doi.org/10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.35 [Google Scholar]
  11. Cacioppo, J. T., Hughes, M. E., Waite, L. J., Hawkley, L. C., & Thisted, R. A.
    (2006) Loneliness as a specific risk factor for depressive symptoms: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Psychology and Aging, 21(1), 140–151. 10.1037/0882‑7974.21.1.140
     https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.21.1.140 [Google Scholar]
  12. Chi, I., Yip, P. S. F., Chiu, H. F. K., Chou, K. L., Chan, K. S., Kwan, C. W., … Caine, E.
    (2005) Prevalence of depression and its correlates in Hong Kong’s Chinese older adults. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 13(5), 409–416. 10.1097/00019442‑200505000‑00010
     https://doi.org/10.1097/00019442-200505000-00010 [Google Scholar]
  13. Chou, K.-L., & Chi, I.
    (2000) Comparison between elderly Chinese living alone and those living with others. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 33(4), 51–66. 10.1300/J083v33n04_05
     https://doi.org/10.1300/J083v33n04_05 [Google Scholar]
  14. Eberle, S. G.
    (2009) Exploring the uncanny valley to find the edge of play. American Journal of Play, 2(2), 167–194.
     [Google Scholar]
  15. Etzi, R., Spence, C., & Gallace, A.
    (2014) Textures that we like to touch: An experimental study of aesthetic preferences for tactile stimuli. Consciousness and Cognition, 29, 178–188. 10.1016/j.concog.2014.08.011
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2014.08.011 [Google Scholar]
  16. Fong, T., Nourbakhsh, I., & Dautenhahn, K.
    (2003) A survey of socially interactive robots. Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 42(3–4), 143–166. 10.1016/S0921‑8890(02)00372‑X
     https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-8890(02)00372-X [Google Scholar]
  17. Fukunaga, R., Abe, Y., Nakagawa, Y., Koyama, A., Fujise, N., & Ikeda, M.
    (2012) Living alone is associated with depression among the elderly in a rural community in Japan. Psychogeriatrics, 12(3), 179–185. 10.1111/j.1479‑8301.2012.00402.x
     https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-8301.2012.00402.x [Google Scholar]
  18. Furuta, Y., Kanoh, M., Shimizu, T., Shimizu, M., & Nakamura, T.
    (2012) Subjective evaluation of use of Babyloid for doll therapy. InIEEE International Conference on Fuzzy Systems (pp.1–4).
     [Google Scholar]
  19. Hacihasanoğlu, R., Yildirim, A., & Karakurt, P.
    (2012) Loneliness in elderly individuals, level of dependence in activities of daily living (ADL) and influential factors. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 54(1), 61–66. 10.1016/j.archger.2011.03.011
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2011.03.011 [Google Scholar]
  20. Heerink, M., Albo-Canals, J., Valenti-Soler, M., Martinez-Martin, P., Zondag, J., Smits, C., & Anisuzzaman, S.
    (2013) Exploring requirements and alternative pet robots for robot assisted therapy with older adults with dementia. InInternational Conference on Social Robotics (pp.104–115). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag. 10.1007/978‑3‑319‑02675‑6_11
     https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02675-6_11 [Google Scholar]
  21. Heerink, M., Kröse, B., Evers, V., & Wielinga, B.
    (2010) Assessing acceptance of assistive social agent technology by older adults: The Almere model. International Journal of Social Robotics, 2(4), 361–375. 10.1007/s12369‑010‑0068‑5
     https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-010-0068-5 [Google Scholar]
  22. Hutson, S., Lim, S. L., Bentley, P. J., Bianchi-Berthouze, N., & Bowling, A.
    (2011) Investigating the Suitability of Social Robots for the Wellbeing of the Elderly BT – Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction. InS. D’Mello, A. Graesser, B. Schuller, & J.-C. Martin (Eds.), Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction – Volume Part I (pp.578–587). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag. 10.1007/978‑3‑642‑24600‑5_61
     https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-24600-5_61 [Google Scholar]
  23. Jongenelis, K., Pot, A. M., Eisses, A. M. H., Beekman, A. T. F., Kluiter, H., & Ribbe, M. W.
    (2004) Prevalence and risk indicators of depression in elderly nursing home patients: The AGED study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 83(2), 135–142. 10.1016/j.jad.2004.06.001
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2004.06.001 [Google Scholar]
  24. Kanamori, M., Suzuki, M., & Tanaka, M.
    (2002) Maintenance and improvement of quality of life among elderly patients using a pet-type robot. Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi. Japanese Journal of Geriatrics, 39(2), 214–218. 10.3143/geriatrics.39.214
     https://doi.org/10.3143/geriatrics.39.214 [Google Scholar]
  25. Kharicha, K., Iliffe, S., Harari, D., Swift, C., Gillmann, G., & Stuck, A. E.
    (2007) Health risk appraisal in older people 1: Are older people living alone an ‘at-risk’ group?British Journal of General Practice, 57(537), 271–276.
     [Google Scholar]
  26. Kidd, C. D., Taggart, W., & Turkle, S.
    (2006) A sociable robot to encourage social interaction among the elderly. InProceedings – IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (pp.3972–3976). IEEE.
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Kim, S., & Lee, I.
    (2016) Components of geriatric nursing robot for Korean elderly: Based on the Focus Group Interview. Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial Cooperation Society, 17(10), 527–536. 10.5762/KAIS.2016.17.10.527
     https://doi.org/10.5762/KAIS.2016.17.10.527 [Google Scholar]
  28. Kweon, S.-A., Lee, E.-K., & Choi, J.-M.
    (2004) A comparative study on the subjective fabric hand according to gender for winter sleepwear fabrics. Fibers and Polymers, 5(1), 6–11. 10.1007/BF02875488
     https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02875488 [Google Scholar]
  29. Lazar, A., Thompson, H. J., Piper, A. M., & Demiris, G.
    (2016) Rethinking the design of robotic pets for older adults. InProceedings of the 2016 ACM Conference on Designing Interactive Systems (pp.1034–1046). ACM.
     [Google Scholar]
  30. Lee, H. R., & Sabanović, S.
    (2014) Culturally variable preferences for robot design and use in South Korea, Turkey, and the United States. InProceedings of the 2014 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-robot Interaction (pp.17–24). New York, NY, USA: ACM.
     [Google Scholar]
  31. Libin, A. V., & Libin, E. V.
    (2004) Person-robot interactions from the robopsychologists’ point of view: The robotic psychology and robotherapy approach. Proceedings of the IEEE, 92(11), 1789–1803. 10.1109/JPROC.2004.835366
     https://doi.org/10.1109/JPROC.2004.835366 [Google Scholar]
  32. Libin, A., & Libin, E.
    (2005) Robots Who Care: Robotic Psychology and Robotherapy Approach. InAAAI Fall Symposium: Caring Machines (pp.67–74).
     [Google Scholar]
  33. Lim, L. L., & Kua, E.-H.
    (2011) Living alone, loneliness, and psychological well-being of older persons in Singapore. Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research 2011, 1–9. 10.1155/2011/673181
     https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/673181 [Google Scholar]
  34. Mitsui, T., Shibata, T., Wada, K., Touda, A., & Tanie, K.
    (2001) Psychophysiological effects by interaction with mental commit robot. InProceedings 2001 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems. Expanding the Societal Role of Robotics in the the Next Millennium (Cat. No. 01CH37180) (pp.1189–1194). IEEE.
     [Google Scholar]
  35. Moyle, W., Jones, C., Sung, B., Bramble, M., O’Dwyer, S., Blumenstein, M., & Estivill-Castro, V.
    (2016) What effect does an animal robot called CuDDler have on the engagement and emotional response of older people with dementia? A pilot feasibility study. International Journal of Social Robotics, 8(1), 145–156. 10.1007/s12369‑015‑0326‑7
     https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-015-0326-7 [Google Scholar]
  36. Odden, M. C., Shlipak, M. G., Whitson, H. E., Katz, R., Kearney, P. M., defilippi, C., … Newman, A. B.
    (2014) Risk factors for cardiovascular disease across the spectrum of older age: The Cardiovascular Health Study. Atherosclerosis, 237(1), 336–342. 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2014.09.012
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2014.09.012 [Google Scholar]
  37. Oh, Y. H., Kim, J., & Ju, D. Y.
    (2018) Analysis of design elements to enhance acceptance of companion robot in older adults. InRO-MAN 2018 – The 27th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, Workshop on Social Cues in Robot Interaction, Trust and Acceptance. Nanjing, China.
     [Google Scholar]
  38. Picard, D., Dacremont, C., Valentin, D., & Giboreau, A.
    (2003) Perceptual dimensions of tactile textures. Acta Psychologica, 114(2), 165–184. 10.1016/j.actpsy.2003.08.001
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2003.08.001 [Google Scholar]
  39. Pino, M., Boulay, M., Jouen, F., & Rigaud, A.
    (2015) “Are we ready for robots that care for us?” Attitudes and opinions of older adults toward socially assistive robots. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 7, 141.
     [Google Scholar]
  40. Prakash, A., & Rogers, W. A.
    (2015) Why Some Humanoid Faces Are Perceived More Positively Than Others: Effects of Human-Likeness and Task. International Journal of Social Robotics, 7(2), 309–331. 10.1007/s12369‑014‑0269‑4
     https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-014-0269-4 [Google Scholar]
  41. Preuß, D., & Legal, F.
    (2017) Living with the animals: Animal or robotic companions for the elderly in smart homes?Journal of Medical Ethics, 43(6), 407–410. 10.1136/medethics‑2016‑103603
     https://doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2016-103603 [Google Scholar]
  42. Robinson, H., MacDonald, B., Kerse, N., & Broadbent, E.
    (2013) The psychosocial effects of a companion robot: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 14(9), 661–667. 10.1016/j.jamda.2013.02.007
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2013.02.007 [Google Scholar]
  43. Scholten, T. S., Vissenberg, C., & Heerink, M.
    (2016) Hygiene and the use of robotic animals in hospitals: A review of the literature. International Journal of Social Robotics, 8(4), 499–511. 10.1007/s12369‑016‑0367‑6
     https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-016-0367-6 [Google Scholar]
  44. Sheikh, J. I., & Yesavage, J. A.
    (1986) Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Recent evidence and development of a shorter version. Clinical Gerontologist: The Journal of Aging and Mental Health, 5(1–2), 165–173.
     [Google Scholar]
  45. Shibata, T.
    (2012) Therapeutic seal robot as biofeedback medical device: Qualitative and quantitative evaluations of robot therapy in dementia care. Proceedings of the IEEE, 100(8), 2527–2538. IEEE.
     [Google Scholar]
  46. Shibata, T., Kawaguchi, Y., & Wada, K.
    (2009) Investigation on people living with Paro at home. InRO-MAN 2009 – The 18th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (pp.1131–1136). IEEE.
     [Google Scholar]
  47. (2012) Investigation on people living with seal robot at home. International Journal of Social Robotics, 4(1), 53–63. 10.1007/s12369‑011‑0111‑1
     https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-011-0111-1 [Google Scholar]
  48. Shibata, T., Wada, K., Saito, T., & Tanie, K.
    (2005) Human interactive robot for psychological enrichment and therapy. InProc. AISB (Vol.5, pp.98–109).
     [Google Scholar]
  49. Shishehgar, M., Kerr, D., & Blake, J.
    (2018) A systematic review of research into how robotic technology can help older people. Smart Health, 7–8, 1–18. 10.1016/j.smhl.2018.03.002
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smhl.2018.03.002 [Google Scholar]
  50. Skeleton, D. A., Greig, C. A., Davies, J. M., & Young, A.
    (1994) Strength, power and related functional ability of healthy people aged 65–89 years. Age and Ageing, 23(5), 371–377. 10.1093/ageing/23.5.371
     https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/23.5.371 [Google Scholar]
  51. Smarr, C.-A., Fausset, C. B., & Rogers, W. A.
    (2010) Understanding the Potential for Robot Assistance for Older Adults in the Home Environment. Georgia Inst. of Technology (Vol.0170). Atlanta, GA.
     [Google Scholar]
  52. Stiehl, W. D., Lieberman, J., Breazeal, C., Basel, L., Lalla, L. L., & Wolf, M.
    (2005) The Design of the Huggable: A Terrestrial Robotic Companion for Relational, Affective Touch. InAAAI Fall Symposium: Carrying Machines (pp.91–98).
     [Google Scholar]
  53. Stiehl, W. D., Lee, J. K., Breazeal, C., Nalin, M., Morandi, A., & Sanna, A.
    (2009) The Huggable: A Platform for Research in Robotic Companions for Pediatric Care. InProceedings of the 8th International Conference on Interaction Design and Children (pp.317–320). New York, NY, USA: ACM.
     [Google Scholar]
  54. Stiehl, W. D., Lee, J. K., Toscano, R. L., & Breazeal, C.
    (2008) The Huggable: A platform for research in robotic companions for eldercare. InAAAI Fall Symposium: AI in Eldercare: New Solutions to Old Problems (pp.109–115).
     [Google Scholar]
  55. Tamura, T., Yonemitsu, S., Itoh, A., Oikawa, D., Kawakami, A., Higashi, Y., … Nakajima, K.
    (2004) Is an entertainment robot useful in the care of elderly people with severe dementia?The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 59(1), M83–M85. 10.1093/gerona/59.1.M83
     https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/59.1.M83 [Google Scholar]
  56. Thieulin, C., Pailler-Mattei, C., Vargiolu, R., Lancelot, S., & Zahouani, H.
    (2017) Study of the tactile perception of bathroom tissues: Comparison between the sensory evaluation by a handfeel panel and a tribo-acoustic artificial finger. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 150, 417–425. 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.11.006
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.11.006 [Google Scholar]
  57. Toepoel, V.
    (2013) Ageing, Leisure, and Social Connectedness: How could Leisure Help Reduce Social Isolation of Older People?Social Indicators Research, 113(1), 355–372. 10.1007/s11205‑012‑0097‑6
     https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-012-0097-6 [Google Scholar]
  58. Tomczak, M., & Tomczak, E.
    (2014) The need to report effect size estimates revisited. An overview of some recommended measures of effect size. Trends in Sport Sciences, 21(1), 19–25.
     [Google Scholar]
  59. Wada, K., & Shibata, T.
    (2007) Robot therapy in a care house – Change of relationship among the residents and seal robot during a 2-month long study. InRO-MAN 2007 – The 16th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (pp.107–112). IEEE. 10.1109/ROMAN.2007.4415062
     https://doi.org/10.1109/ROMAN.2007.4415062 [Google Scholar]
  60. (2008) Social and physiological influences of robot therapy in a care house. Interaction Studies, 9(2), 258–276. doi:  10.1075/is.9.2.06wad
     https://doi.org/10.1075/is.9.2.06wad [Google Scholar]
  61. Wada, K., Shibata, T., & Kawaguchi, Y.
    (2009) Long-term robot therapy in a health service facility for the aged – A case study for 5 years -. In2009 IEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics (pp.930–933). IEEE. 10.1109/ICORR.2009.5209495
     https://doi.org/10.1109/ICORR.2009.5209495 [Google Scholar]
  62. Wada, T., Ishine, M., Sakagami, T., Okumiya, K., Fujisawa, M., Murakami, S., … Matsubayashi, K.
    (2004) Depression in Japanese community-dwelling elderly – Prevalence and association with ADL and QOL. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 39(1), 15–23. 10.1016/j.archger.2003.12.003
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2003.12.003 [Google Scholar]
  63. Webber, L. J., Stubbs, S., Stark, J., Trew, G. H., Margara, R., Hardy, K., & Franks, S.
    (2003) Formation and early development of follicles in the polycystic ovary. The Lancet, 362(9389), 1017–1021. 10.1016/S0140‑6736(03)14410‑8
     https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14410-8 [Google Scholar]
  64. Wilcox, C.
    (1999) The Chihuahua. Minnesota, MN: Capstone Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  65. Wu, Y.-H., Fassert, C., & Rigaud, A.-S.
    (2012) Designing robots for the elderly: Appearance issue and beyond. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 54(1), 121–126. 10.1016/j.archger.2011.02.003
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2011.02.003 [Google Scholar]
  66. Xavier, F. M., Ferraza, M. P., Argimon, I., Trentini, C. M., Poyares, D., Bertollucci, P. H., … & Moriguchi, E. H.
    (2002) The DSM-IV ‘minor depression’ disorder in the oldest-old: prevalence rate, sleep patterns, memory function and quality of life in elderly people of Italian descent in Southern Brazil. International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 17(2), 107–116. doi:  10.1002/gps.517
     https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.517 [Google Scholar]
  67. Zizza, C. A., Ellison, K. J., & Wernette, C. M.
    (2009) Total water intakes of community-living middle-old and oldest-old adults. Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biomedical Sciences and Medical Sciences, 64(4), 481–486. 10.1093/gerona/gln045
     https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/gln045 [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1075/is.18070.oh
Loading
Investigating the preferences of older adults concerning the design elements of a companion robot
Interaction Studies 20, 426 (2019); https://doi.org/10.1075/is.18070.oh
/content/journals/10.1075/is.18070.oh
/content/journals/10.1075/is.18070.oh
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article
Keyword(s): companion robot; depression; older adult

Most Cited

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was successful
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error