Speakers - WNSC 2024

Abstract

The growth of the older adult population is on an upward trajectory and is expected to continue through 2050. The emergency department can be an anxiety-provoking situation that compounds an older adult’s medical co-morbidities. Older adults in the emergency department are at risk for developing delirium and are at increased risk for falls, restraint use if pulling at intravenous lines and interrupting medical treatment, medications to manage anxiety and behaviours, and the need for a companion sitter to ensure safety. Nonpharmacologic interventions are imperative to avoid unnecessary medications and restrictive practices. Animal-assisted activity (AAA) has been utilized to impact the aforementioned issues; however, pets are not readily available to assist the older adult population in hospitals. Robotic pets provide a feasible alternative and have yielded similar positive results to live animals. The authors hypothesized the use of robotic pets in the emergency department would decrease patient’s anxiety during their stay.

This was a randomized control trial with a sample of 198 patients. If patients agreed to participate in the study, they were randomized to the control or intervention group. Both groups completed a GAD-7 upon consent, 30 minutes after consent, and then again before discharge. However, the intervention group was able to choose either a robotic cat or a robotic dog. While data analysis is still in progress, the research team noted the clinical significance of the use of robotic pets. For example, patients who had previously required a companion sitter for safety did not require one if randomized to the intervention group.

The preliminary findings of this randomized control trial support the implementation of robotic pet therapy programs within the hospital setting. The project was also environmentally responsible, as the patients who were randomized to the intervention group were allowed to take the robotic pet home with them. Limitations to this study include a rural location and two small community hospital emergency departments. This project could easily be replicated. Future research should be conducted in alternate emergency department settings to further validate the use of robotic pets.