Robot buddy boosts brain and mood in dementia study

NCT ID NCT06606600

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: National Tainan Junior College of Nursing Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether a social robot named Kebbi could improve thinking, heart rate patterns, and emotional well-being in 136 older adults with mild dementia living in long-term care. Participants in the robot group spent 30 minutes with Kebbi three times a week for 12 weeks, while a control group had usual activities. Researchers measured memory, attention, depression, loneliness, and friendship before, right after, and one month after the program ended.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Kebbi robot (socially assistive robot)
What this could lead to: If effective, this robot program could offer a non-drug way to help older adults with mild dementia maintain thinking skills and feel less lonely or depressed.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed study with no phase designation, so results may not apply broadly. The robot is not a cure and benefits may be modest or temporary.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Cognitive Dysfunction dementia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT (MCI)

Contacts and locations

Locations

Luth Day Care Centre

Tainan, 700, Taiwan
fuqian Care ceenter

Tainan, 70847, Taiwan

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