A Wizard of Oz Approach to Robotic Therapy for Older Adults With Depressive Symptoms

Abstract

Older adults with late-life depression often suffer from cognitive symptoms, such as dementia. This patient group is not prioritised for psychotherapy and therefore often medicated with antidepressants. However, in the last 20-years, the evidence base for psychotherapy has increased and one promising area is technology-based psychotherapy. Investigations of the possibilities in this area are also motivated by the Covid-19 pandemic, where many older adults are isolated, which makes it impossible for them to meet with a therapist. Therefore, we have developed a Wizard of Oz system allowing a human therapist to control a humanoid robot through a graphical user interface, including natural speech for natural conversations, which enables the robot to be stationed in, for example, a care home. For future research, we will conduct user-centered studies with both therapists and older adults to further develop the system.