Supplementary Material for: Socially assistive robots for people living with dementia in long-term facilities: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background and Objective: The purpose of our study was to explore the immediate and long-term effects of socially assistive robots (SARs) on neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), positive emotional experiences, and social interaction in older people living with dementia. Methods: We set keywords and used Boolean operators to search the CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, IEEE Digital Library, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Chinese Electronic Periodical Service from inception to February 2022 for randomized controlled trials. The Cochrane Collaboration bias assessment tool was used to assess article quality, and RevMan 5.4.1 software was used to conduct the meta-analysis. Results: A total of 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis. SARs can help people living with dementia reduce their NPS of depression and anxiety, provide happiness from positive emotional experiences, and improve their social interaction through conversation. However, there was no significant improvement in agitation behavior, overall BPSD, or quality of life in people living with dementia. In follow-up, it was found that the effect of SRT was limited. Conclusion: Socially assistive robots can reduce depression and increase positive emotions in people living with dementia. They may also reduce the burden on healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Registration number: PROSPERO CRD42020169340.

研究背景与目的：本研究旨在探讨社交辅助机器人（Socially Assistive Robots，SARs）对痴呆老年患者的神经精神症状（Neuropsychiatric Symptoms，NPS）、痴呆行为与精神症状（Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia，BPSD）、积极情绪体验及社交互动的即时与长期影响。
研究方法：本研究拟定检索词并结合布尔运算符，从各数据库建库至2022年2月，对护理及联合卫生文献累积索引（CINAHL）、考克兰图书馆（Cochrane Library）、EMBASE、IEEE数字图书馆（IEEE Digital Library）、MEDLINE、PsycINFO、PubMed、Web of Science、Scopus及中文电子期刊服务数据库（Chinese Electronic Periodical Service）进行随机对照试验检索。采用考克兰协作网偏倚风险评估工具对纳入文献的质量进行评价，并使用RevMan 5.4.1软件开展荟萃分析。
研究结果：本研究共纳入14项研究进行荟萃分析。结果显示，社交辅助机器人可帮助痴呆患者减轻抑郁、焦虑相关的神经精神症状，从积极情绪体验中获得愉悦感，并通过对话提升其社交互动水平。但痴呆患者的激越行为、整体痴呆行为与精神症状及生活质量并未得到显著改善。随访分析表明，SRT干预的效果存在局限性。
研究结论：社交辅助机器人可减轻痴呆患者的抑郁症状并提升其积极情绪水平，在新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）疫情期间或可减轻医护人员的工作负担。
注册编号：PROSPERO CRD42020169340。