Constellation, le dépôt institutionnel de l'Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

Résumé

Neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer disease affect each year a large number of Canadians aged over 65 years old. Screening and diagnosing those diseases at an early stage are essentials to implement intervention that could preserve autonomy and life quality as long as possible for affected elderly. Healthcare professional (doctors, nurses, psychologist, etc.) are overwhelmed with technical tasks but technology might be useful to make more efficient the time they spent with patients. The possibility of using a small humanoid robot, the NAO robot, for cognitive screening in elderly is tested through the present study. This possibility has never been explored in previous research, but others studies show that NAO robot is an effective platform to maximise collaboration and acceptance with elderly. A widely used screening test (Mini-mental state evaluation, MMSE) was implemented into the NAO robot. Scores of 36 participants (13 men / 23 women) aged 65 and over, on the MMSE taken two times: 1) with NAO and 2) with human, evaluated one weeks apart (order balanced) were compared. Perceptions and comments of participants concerning the interaction with the NAO robot were taken to look at modifications that can be made for the technology to be more functional. Participants indicated relatively high levels comfort and confidence (M=7,5/10) with the NAO robot but less than with human (M=9,39/10). Non-parametric tests have been used to compare results obtained from NAO robot and from human administrator. Results shows a significant difference between groups (p = 0,000) and a moderately strong correlation between them (r = 0,58, p = 0,000). Influencing factors (such as age, sex, reluctance to use technology, the performance level at the MMSE, the educational level, etc) are explored to understand results and maximise its functioning.