Robot companions fight apathy in Alzheimer's patients
NCT ID NCT05178992
First seen Jun 27, 2026 ยท Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a socially assistive robot could reduce apathy in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease living in long-term care. 142 participants were randomly assigned to either usual activities or usual activities plus robot-led sessions. Researchers measured changes in apathy and thinking skills over 8 weeks.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
-
142 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Feb 2023
- Finished
-
Jan 2026
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
60 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Residing \>3 months in long term care facility * Evidence of mild cognitive impairment (SAGE score 15-16), mild dementia (SAGE score \<15, AD8\<2, DSRD\<19), or moderate dementia (SAGE \<15, AD8\>1, DSRD 19-36) * Symptoms of apathy (Score 30+ on AES-C) Exclusion Criteria: * Severe cognitive impairment * Physically unable to participate * Unable to provide assent * Uncorrected vision or hearing * Never spoke English * Unable to sit comfortably in chair * Acutely ill, terminally ill or unresponsive * Unable to be moved to activity location * Aggressive or combative
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Alzheimer disease are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee, 37212-2010, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Gut bacteria may hold clues to dozens of diseases
- Can group wellness classes improve life after brain injury or dementia?
- Can a short talk with your doctor lower dementia risk?
- Can VR help people with dementia master daily tasks?
- Can a massive data registry crack the code of Parkinson's and related brain diseases?
- A simple gel meets the Mouth's microscopic zoo