Ilsung Nam
Papers
2
Total Citations
50
H-Index
2
About
Dr. Ilsung Nam is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of gerontology, human-robot interaction, and public health, whose work focuses on combating social isolation and depression among older adults through socially assistive robotics. His most impactful contributions center on the development and evaluation of Hyodol, a Korean-designed humanoid robot that provides emotional support, daily living assistance, and cognitive stimulation to low-income, socially isolated seniors. In a landmark 2022 mixed-method study involving 180 participants, Dr. Nam demonstrated that Hyodol significantly reduced depressive symptoms and improved health-related quality of life, with the paper garnering 35 citations. His earlier 2020 study with 169 community-dwelling older adults further confirmed these benefits, showing a notable decrease in depression scores (from 6.28 to 3.40 on the SGDS-K scale) and enhanced quality of life. Dr. Nam’s work is notable for its rigorous quantitative and qualitative approach, bridging technology and social welfare to address the urgent needs of aging populations. His research has profound implications for scalable, non-pharmacological interventions in elder care, positioning him as a key figure in socially assistive robotics and geriatric mental health.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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