Changes in technology acceptance among older people with dementia: the role of social robot engagement

Emerging technologies such as social robots have shown to be effective in reducing loneliness and agitation for older people with dementia. However, the acceptance of technology (specifically social robots) was found to be low for older people with dementia. The current understanding of changes in technology acceptance following direct exposure is limited and lacks rigorous study design. This study examined the change in technology acceptance after a direct interaction with a humanoid social robot (Kabochan) that was deployed for long-term care facilities' residents with dementia.

The technology acceptance was assessed using randomised control trials for a time frame of 32 weeks. A total of 103 residents clinically diagnosed with dementia, with a mean age of 87.2 years (SD = 7.4), were recruited from seven long-term care facilities in Hong Kong and were randomly allocated to either Kabochan-engagement group or control group. Participants in the engagement group interacted with Kabochan in an individual, non-facilitated approach. The behavioural engagement with Kabochan was observed by care workers and recorded into constructive engagement and non-engagement. Questionnaire surveys were taken placed at pre- and post-exposure with Kabochan to measure attitudes and beliefs towards technology. The questionnaire was based on previous studies on technology acceptance and included attitudes towards technology, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, technology self-efficacy, technology anxiety, and facilitating conditions.

Perceived ease of use was improved at week 32 for participants who interacted with Kabochan (F = 4.239, p = 0.042) with a small effect (η_p² = 0.043) in comparison to usual care group. Results further demonstrated that the magnitude of belief changes was related to the intensity of constructive behavioural engagement. Specifically, resident-robot behavioural engagement moderately improved attitudes towards technology (F = 11.62, p < 0.001, η_p² = 0.11) and perceived usefulness (F = 5.75, p = 0.02, η_p² = 0.06).

The study tentatively supports that exposure to Kabochan has potential for changing perceived ease of use but not for other beliefs and attitudes towards technology among long-term care residents with dementia. Direct engagement with a humanoid social robot might be promising in improving the perceived ease of use towards technology.