Hiroko Sugimoto
Papers
2
Total Citations
54
H-Index
2
About
Hiroko Sugimoto’s research lies at the intersection of gerontology, human-robot interaction, and nursing science, with a focus on improving care for older adults with dementia. Her most influential work explores the “transactive phenomenon”—a dynamic relationship among older adults, care workers, and communication robots. In a landmark 2017 study (28 citations), Sugimoto demonstrated how nurses serve as intermediaries, facilitating meaningful interactions between dementia patients and robots to enhance engagement and quality of life. She extended this work in 2019 (26 citations) by examining the Pepper robot’s role in leading care prevention gymnastics exercises, using participatory action research to analyze how care workers intervene and adapt robot-led activities. Sugimoto’s contributions are particularly significant in Japan, where an aging population and shrinking healthcare workforce demand innovative solutions. Her research provides a framework for integrating socially assistive robots into elder care while emphasizing the irreplaceable role of human caregivers. By documenting how robots can complement—not replace—human interaction, Sugimoto has shaped both academic discourse and practical care protocols, offering a model for technology-mediated care in aging societies worldwide.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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