Evaluating the Effectiveness of Digital Social Robots in Reducing Loneliness Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan: Randomized Controlled Trial and Qualitative Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Most studies on interventions using social robots to reduce loneliness have been conducted in facilities in Western countries.

Objective

This study evaluated the effectiveness of digital social robot interventions in reducing loneliness among community-dwelling older Japanese adults using a randomized controlled trial and qualitative analysis.

Methods

Individuals aged ≥65 years who lived alone in Tokyo and neighboring areas and experienced loneliness were recruited. In total, 73 eligible participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group. The 4-week intervention involved a humanoid social communication robot (BOCCO emo), which facilitated conversations with human operators and family members and reminded participants of daily t

SUBMITTER: Murayama H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12543208 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature