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Robot 'KaKa' aims to lift spirits of dementia caregivers
NCT ID NCT07531082
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a social robot named KaKa can reduce depressive symptoms in family caregivers of people with dementia. 148 caregivers will either use the robot at home for 6 weeks or receive weekly reading materials. The robot is designed to boost inner strength and coping skills. Researchers will measure mood, sense of coherence, and caregiving burden up to 3 months after the intervention.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- social robot with AI chatbot
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new way to support family caregivers of dementia patients, reducing their depression and boosting their inner strength.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 148 participants. The robot may not significantly improve mood, and results may not apply to all caregivers.
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
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 148 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jun 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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: * those aged 18 years or older; * family caregivers of PwD who had been clinically diagnosed; * are living in the same household as the PwD; * providing daily caregiving for ≥ 4 hours /day; * have mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score of 5-14) (Yu et al., 2012); and * are able to speak Cantonese. Exclusion Criteria: * those who have been diagnosed with a mental disorder such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, or depression in an acute stage; * those with a visual or hearing impairment that would interfere with the use of a robot; * those currently using a social robot at home; and * who have limited access to electricity at home.
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How to take part
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The official record
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