| |
| author |
Natalie Bailey
| | title |
Using Robotic Companion Pets To Mediate Behavioral and Emotional Symptoms of Sundowner's Syndrome in Alzheimer's Disease
| | abstract |
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder associated with declining
cognitive abilities, is increasing relative to the increase in average life expectancy. As a result,
the cost of treatment for this population is beginning to strain caretakers and the economy. The
lack of a reliable and inexpensive pharmaceutical intervention has led to the implementation of
nonpharmacological therapies, specifically, robotic companion pets (RCPs). With the intent of
expanding the literature surrounding aspects of AD, such as agitation, emotional distress, and
Sundowner's Syndrome (SS), RCPs were used in this study to investigate their potential as an
alternative to medication in treating emotional and behavioral disturbances. Eight residents with
suspected AD were given RCPs to assess longitudinal changes in the discrepancy between
agitation and observed emotions during non-sundowning and sundowning periods. Residents
showed increases in pleasure and alertness with declining agitation and negative emotions, with a
trend in discrepancy reduction regardless of whether residents experienced SS. Additionally,
although each resident had varying responses to the RCPs, they were effective in fostering social
interaction. These observations suggest that RCPs are a viable tool for treating emotional and
behavioral disturbances in AD, serving as a cheaper alternative to pharmacological interventions.
| | school |
The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University
| | degree |
B.A. (2025)
|
| advisor |
Patrick Dolan
|
| full text | NBailey.pdf |
| |
