Silvia Iovino

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About

Silvia Iovino is a pioneering researcher in geriatric care and human-robot interaction, with a focused expertise on using robotic pet therapy to improve outcomes for hospitalized older adults. Her landmark 2018 randomized controlled trial, conducted at an inner-city community hospital, examined the effects of robotic cats and dogs—equipped with an audible heartbeat—on 160 adults over age 65. This study demonstrated significant improvements in cognition, reduced loneliness and depression, and decreased delirium, falls, restraint use, and the need for 1:1 companions. Though early in its citation history (4 citations), this work represents a foundational contribution to the emerging field of socially assistive robotics in clinical settings. Iovino’s research bridges nursing, psychology, and engineering, offering a compassionate, evidence-based alternative to pharmacological interventions for vulnerable aging populations. Her work is particularly notable for its rigorous design in a real-world hospital environment, setting a standard for future studies on non-pharmacological, technology-driven interventions in geriatric care.