Socially assistive robotics and older family caregivers of young adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD): A pilot study exploring respite, acceptance, and usefulness

PLoS One. 2022 Sep 12;17(9):e0273479. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273479. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Introduction: The need for caregiver respite is well-documented for the care of persons with IDD. Social Assistive Robotics (SAR) offer promise in addressing the need for caregiver respite through 'complementary caregiving' activities that promote engagement and learning opportunities for a care recipient (CR) with IDD. This study explored the acceptability and usefulness of a SAR caregiver respite program responsive to feedback from both young adults with IDD and their older family caregivers (age 55+).

Method: Young adults with IDD and caregiver dyads (N = 11) were recruited. A mixed methods research design was deployed in three phases: Phase I with four focus groups to inform the program design; Phase II for program demonstration and evaluation with pre- and post-surveys; and Phase III with post-program interviews for feedback and suggestions.

Results: Both young adults with IDD and their caregivers scored favorably the social presence of, social engagement, and satisfaction with robot Pepper. Though there was no significant improvement of caregiving burden/stress as well as well-being of the young adults with IDD based on surveys, results from interviews suggested that the SAR may offer physical/emotional respite to caregivers by providing companionship/friendship as well as promoting independence, safety/monitoring, and interactive engagement with children.

Discussion: SAR has potential in providing respite for older family caregivers. Future studies need a longer program design and larger sample size to develop a promising intervention and test its feasibility and efficacy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Caregiver Burden
  • Caregivers* / psychology
  • Child
  • Developmental Disabilities
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Robotics*
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

The contents of this article were developed in part under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), Wireless Inclusive Technologies Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (grant number 90RE5025), and the Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT): Inclusive Technology and Policy Design Research Fellowships (grant number 90ARPO0002). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this paper do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.